as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
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Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eyes
Noun
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Based on witness statements, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Salvador Villalaz, the Sheriff’s Office said.
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The police car, a silver Ford Taurus used by the investigation division, contained two Oakland police homicide detectives who were able to continue their shift after the crash, authorities said.
Noun
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Othram, based in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy, a method that can help investigators identify suspects or unknown victims when traditional law enforcement databases do not produce a match.
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Police located and arrested the three suspects on June 30, though the investigation remains active as investigators search for any outstanding suspects.
Noun
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Meanwhile, private detectives probed Hadley’s vulnerabilities as a witness.
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The trio took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a PaleyFest event commemorating five decades of Charlie's Angels, the groundbreaking ABC series that followed a group of female private detectives.
Noun
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Depending on the circumstances, this may include private investigators, attorneys, cybersecurity professionals, exchanges, regulators or law enforcement agencies.
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Ever since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, fans have turned into part-time wedding planners, part-time private investigators and full-time internet detectives.
Cite this Entry
“Private eyes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eyes. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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