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. Randy Alfred:

   There was still a long history of mistrust between gay men and the police force, i mean, the homicide detective might have been in the vice squad two years ago when he busted you.

2. Henry Stawinski:

   Detective Colson was arriving in an unmarked vehicle and found himself in the middle of a gunfight, heroically, Detective Colson reacted to a set of circumstances that frankly, I don't think he was entirely prepared for.

3. Chicago Police Department:

   Chief Johnson has significant experience managing large-scale special events and was instrumental in the operational planning and response of the 2012 NATO Summit, he has also served as a supervisor in the detective bureau and is currently completing his master’s degree in public policy and administration at Northwestern University.

4. Eddie Johnson:

   He has also served as a supervisor in the detective bureau and is currently completing his master’s degree in public policy and administration at Northwestern University.

5. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson:

   The detective work that we have seen in this case is indicative of the work that our detectives do every day in this city.