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Definitions

private investigator

NOUN

detective employed by private parties

Synonyms

STRONGEST

P.I. inquiry agent private detective private dick private eye private investigator sleuth

STRONG

detective gumshoe investigator

WEAK

Sherlock Holmes agent beagle bird dog bloodhound dick skip tracer sleuthhound snoop spotter

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.

To the side stood private investigator Carmelo Castañeda.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

The ultraviolent 1991 film was directed by her former husband Renny Harlin and co-starred Samuel L. Jackson as a lowly private investigator.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

David Sherborne, for the claimants, repeatedly questioned the private investigator about the statement on Monday - having been given permission by the judge to treat him as a hostile witness and conduct a cross-examination.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

In 1986, Don Winslow was a 33-year-old New York-born, world-traveling private investigator who, during stakeouts, read crime fiction by authors such as Elmore Leonard, James Ellroy and Joseph Wambaugh.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Fenton Hardy, Frank and Joe’s dad, was a private investigator who used to work with the local Bayport police force.

From "Hopping Mad (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #4)" by Franklin W. Dixon

private investigator

Example Sentences

Related Words