shamus

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 heroes are typically amateur or private detectives, possibly quirky, often women, sometimes a couple; they aren’t likely to suffer the afflictions common to the hard-boiled shamus — depression, rage, alcoholism, untreated trauma.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2022

And as the Honolulu-based shamus Thomas Magnum, a journeyman actor named Tom Selleck made himself a star on the strength of a twinkling smile and a modest gift for self-deprecating humor.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2018

It doesn’t take much to lure the old shamus out of a seclusion, which he isn’t much enjoying anyhow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2018

For the audience, he is equally shamus and shaman, chasing down clues and trying to exorcise demons that plague the body politic.

From New York Times • Dec. 14, 2017

I've got friends in PIB—real friends, not the shamus crowd you're acquainted with that'll take you for your last nickel and then leave you to starve.

From Bear Trap by Nourse, Alan Edward