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 think Zeraati was attacked because he is a high-profile opposition voice whose programmes are beamed via satellite into Iran.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

During questioning, Sturgeon repeatedly answered "no comment" to detectives.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Clayman said £2.8m had been received from the Home Office, but this was £16.5m short of what was needed for this financial year to boost the number of detectives.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

As the detectives opened it, the scent of moist earth drifted upward into the kitchen.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson