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.

When the investigation stalled, detectives obtained what is known as a geofence warrant, directing Google to identify devices located within roughly 150 meters of the bank during the relevant hour.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

"As a crime viewer, I've had enough of troubled, grizzled detectives in the wilderness battling their demons," he said.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

He said the money transfers had been linked by detectives to a British-Iranian dual national called Edgar Hakkopian.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

The investigation and search remain ongoing, but detectives said they believe this was an isolated incident with no threat to the general public.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

I wasn’t sure if it was because of the tortured bird roosting atop my aunt’s bonnet, or my uncommon costume—or if it was because they’d never met lady detectives before.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan