detectives

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.

See Examples For:

detectives

Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler star in the latest DC Studios series on HBO, playing a pair of intergalactic detectives who work for the Green Lantern Corps.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

“Throughout the investigation, detectives have continued to pursue newly developed leads,” Oceanside police stated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

As part of investigating the assault on SW, detectives learned that Brambles had been released from custody under California’s parole laws for elderly inmates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

He said detectives were piecing together how the "sensitive and complex" incident happened.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

“So you see, Nell,” explained Mr. Bangs, the office manager who oversaw all the detectives, “there are not many options that are appropriate for your disguise.”

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan