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 got information that a large sum of cash had been passed to the driver of a silver Vauxhall Corsa, who was on the M74 southbound on 8 March 2024.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

Detectives are now studying computers, USB sticks, SD cards and phones seized during the raids.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Detectives responded to the home in the 16000 block of Londelius Street shortly after patrol officers from the Devonshire Division and immediately began examining the crime scene along with forensic technicians.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 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

Besides, I had Detectives Dejesus and Ortiz to worry about.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez