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.

Upon further investigation, detectives found that Yang and her husband were under the care of their two daughters, 52-year-old Ingrid Wu and 53-year-old Rebecca Wu.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Counter terrorism detectives say their investigation is continuing.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

Jones confirmed that detectives from the PSNI's Serious Crime branch have launched an attempted murder investigation.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

The eight were among 30 students who were initially traced and recalled back to the school by detectives investigating the deadly fire.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Union troops and detectives were swarming the countryside, motivated in part by the enormous reward being offered by the War Department.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson