Synonyms for detective
dɪˈtɛk tɪvde·tec·tive

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. detectivenoun

   a person employed to find information not otherwise available to the public.

   Synonyms:
   private investigator, dick, private detective, private dick, consulting detective

2. detectivenoun

   Synonyms:
   DT

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.0 / 2 votes

1. detective

   The scout and the spy are both employed to obtain information of the numbers, movements, etc., of an enemy. The scout lurks on the outskirts of the hostile army with such concealment as the case admits of, but without disguise; a spy enters in disguise within the enemy's lines. A scout, if captured, has the rights of a prisoner of war; a spy is held to have forfeited all rights, and is liable, in case of capture, to capital punishment. An emissary is rather political than military; sent rather to secretly influence opponents than to bring information concerning them; so far as he does the latter, he is not only an emissary, but a spy.

   Synonyms:
   emissary, scout, spy

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. detective, investigator, tec, police detectivenoun

   a police officer who investigates crimes

   Synonyms:
   researcher, investigator, tec, research worker, police detective

2. detectivenoun

   an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public

   Synonyms:
   investigator, tec, police detective

Matched Categories

1. • Investigator
   • Policeman

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "detective":

   inspector, lnspector, inspecteur, investigator, lieutenant, -detective, p.i., pinkerton, inspectors, sergeant

How to pronounce detective?

How to say detective in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use detective in a sentence?

1. Surfside Police Detective Marian Cruz:

   Surfside Police Detective Marian Cruz said. I say he just wanted some money. very gutsy, actually, to do something like this in the front lawn of someone’s house.

2. Katherine Ramsland:

   My initial impression of Dennis Rader was that Dennis Rader wanted to challenge me, and what surprised me was the fact that there was n’t anything in Dennis Rader background that would correspond with the typical formula we have of serial killers. I recently heard a detective say that all serial killers have trauma in their background. He was wrong about that.

3. Mesa Police Chief John Meza:

   No homicide is too old for us to use additional scientific measures and good old detective work ... and bring this suspect to justice.

4. Ashton Kutcher:

   I recall the time because our phones were very old and I showed the detective the phone number of the friend and it said 8:24 p.m..

5. Randal Taylor:

   We are also aware of inappropriate comments made by an IMPD detective that was broadcast live on social media, let me be clear : These comments are unacceptable. We will be pursuing immediate disciplinary action against that officer.