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private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (such as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
Synonyms
Examples of private investigator in a Sentence
She hired a private investigator to follow her husband.
the retired policeman decided to become a private investigator
Recent Examples on the Web
Before she was found dead, Aguilar’s family hired private investigator Steve Fischer to look into what may have happened to her.
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Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024
Set in 1979, the series gives listeners a behind-the-curtain look into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, told through the lenses of private investigator William Dear (Hamm), a swashbuckling style tough guy and creator of the game Gary Gygax (Wil Wheaton).
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 July 2024
Doris Maricela Aguilar went missing on July 1 Phoenix police had been searching for Aguilar since July 1, according to a missing persons posters posted by private investigator Steve Fischer and Missing People In America.
—
Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024
During part three of the Tell-All last week, the private investigator Angela hired to look into Michael's past joined the cast to share his findings – which were nothing suspicious.
—
Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for private investigator ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-09-11--20-03-54-ii7pg/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'private investigator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of private investigator was
in 1940
Dictionary Entries Near private investigator
Cite this Entry
“Private investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/private%20investigator. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
Kids Definition
private investigator
noun
: a person who does detective work and is not a member of a police force
Legal Definition
private investigator
noun
: a person not a member of a police force who is licensed to do detective work (as investigation of suspected wrongdoing or searching for missing persons)
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