detective

[dih-tek-tiv] / dɪˈtɛk tɪv /

NOUN

investigator of crime

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agent informer police officer private eye private investigator prosecutor reporter sleuth spy

STRONG

analyst bloodhound bull constable cop dick eavesdropper eye fed fink flatfoot gumshoe nark peeper roper scout sergeant shadow shamus shoofly snoop tail

WEAK

P.I. Sherlock Holmes bird dog plainclothes officer slewfoot

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But four days after her disappearance, he admitted detectives were no closer to finding who was responsible for the woman's abduction.

From Barron's

"He couldn't explain or wouldn't explain what he was doing," the detective said.

From BBC

When detectives searched her home, they found a scene that caused "grave concern," Sheriff Nanos said.

From BBC

Approximately 100 sheriff’s detectives continue to work on the case, in coordination with the FBI.

From Los Angeles Times

Nanos confirmed that detectives had transitioned their investigation from a missing person case to a criminal case.

From Los Angeles Times