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.

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

Our everyman is Ben Reilly — played by the incomparable Nicolas Cage, making his live-action television debut — a private investigator who moonlights as the city’s only superhero, the Spider.

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

The Advocates have since ceased operations, but co-founder and private investigator, Cynthia Liles, is still running the hotline under the name 2x2 Church Accountability.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2026

If he’s some sort of private investigator for Minerwa.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

private investigator

Example Sentences

Related Words