Definition of sleuthnext
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sleuth Online sleuths and true-crime commentators following the broadcast trial had peddled conspiracy theories that Patrick Clancy actually killed the children and framed his wife. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026 As public support for Clancy grew by the day, online sleuths went to work challenging the prosecution’s narrative, closely scrutinizing witnesses and criticizing authorities for not investigating certain details more aggressively. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2026 Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 Amateur sleuths, armchair lawyers and influencers have turned the soon-to-conclude trial into snackable, whodunit content, dissecting every detail and advancing their own theories across TikTok and other social platforms. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
  • While searching the area, two other detectives spotted the Chevy parked at Southwest 64th Court and 88th Street.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Larry Baimbridge spent thirty-one years with the Houston Police Department, including stints as a homicide detective and as commander of the SWAT team.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The decades-long search for answers in Amy’s case inspired the couple to help establish the nonprofit, which helps to fund unsolved homicide investigations, train investigators and support victims’ families.
    — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The footage showed the vehicles entering and exiting the site and allowed investigators to capture their vehicle identification numbers, which were forwarded to CBP, according to Earley.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster