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Definitions

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.

Still, Ms. Worsley—the history detective with the fabulous shoes—has always had a bit of mischief about her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

In that same barrio, Flores raised three children with her first husband, Walter Gavidia, a police detective.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The police watchdog said that a former detective constable could face gross misconduct proceedings - relating to alleged failures to properly investigate - and that two former detective sergeants were being investigated for alleged misconduct.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Showing us the haul, a detective - who asked not to be identified - said the phone would be analysed for links to organised crime.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Their new detective club was sounding better and better.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.