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.

Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Detectives are sharing information with lawyers at the CPS and getting "early investigative advice".

From BBC • May 22, 2026

And "The Sheep Detectives," a family-friendly mystery film from Amazon MGM, finished in fifth place at $9.3 million.

From Barron's • May 17, 2026

The following discusses minor spoilers from "The Sheep Detectives," but don't worry — it doesn't include one bleat about who the killer is.

From Salon • May 17, 2026

I used the code that listed Detective Barrone’s call to my father to wiggle into the Division of Detectives mainframe.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin