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Showing results for private investigator.
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.

A private investigator who was initially a key witness in a privacy case brought by several claimants against the publisher of the Daily Mail, including Prince Harry, has denied "switching sides" out of revenge.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Griffiths said her behaviour was proof she would "draw a line" between her professional and personal life, claiming she had never used a private investigator or hacked a phone.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Wright later called an allegation of paying a private investigator to "blag" information from Lady Lawrence "absolute nonsense".

From BBC • Feb. 17, 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

“He’s a private investigator attached to the staff of my office. ...”

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright