person of interest

noun phrase

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested

Examples of person of interest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cops took a person of interest into custody. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026 Law enforcement officials – both local and federal – still have no main suspect, nor any particular person of interest. — John Miller, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 DeKalb County police are asking the public for help identifying three persons of interest who could be key to solving a 2024 murder case. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 18 June 2026 The company’s founder soon faced federal charges and ultimately Carvalho would be pulled into this investigation as a person of interest. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for person of interest

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of person of interest was in 1937

Rhymes for person of interest

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Browse Nearby Words

person of inherence
person of interest
person-to-person
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Cite this Entry

“Person of interest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/person%20of%20interest. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

person of interest

: a person who is believed to be possibly involved in a crime but has not been charged or arrested
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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