de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv 
1
: fitted for or used in detecting something
had perfected his detective sensibilities
2
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective novel
: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
Synonyms
Examples of detective in a Sentence
Adjective
We had to do some detective work to find out who used to own the property.
He enjoys reading detective novels.
Noun
She is a detective on the police force.
Detective Sgt. Lee is working on the case.
She hired a detective to follow her husband.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Hats off to you, detective James Webb Space Telescope.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2024
In 2018, Steve Gibbs, at the time a detective sergeant with the Marion Co. Sheriff's Office, picked up the cold case.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Jan. 2024
Kim sets out to reveal the slasher’s identity, who might be stalking her, with the help of her friend, detective Gi-eun (Kim Su-yeon).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2024
What starts as a detective mystery, pursued by the rumpled intelligence investigator Clarence Da Shi (Benedict Wong), escalates to a looming war of the worlds.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Holcomb was tracked to a nearby motel in Melvindale based on eyewitness accounts and other detective work, the Dearborn police said.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
The detective crime thriller about the dark side of fame was published in 2009 — which some readers assumed was based on Johnny’s life.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
The Witch Elm cantilevered off detective fiction and created something far more modern and angular than its predecessors, a novel that used an old foundation to fashion a new, more pointed structure.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Those with information about the investigation are urged to call homicide detective Donald Willyard at 504-658-5300 or call Crimestoppers toll-free 1-877-903-STOP(7867).
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Anyone with information is asked to contact homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS hotline anonymously at (816) 474-TIPS.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Defense attorney Jason Bowles said during his closing argument there was a rush to judgment and that detectives didn't conduct a thorough investigation of the shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Any tips on the shooting or the suspects can be called in to CPD's Area One detectives or made to the tipster's local police department.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, there is only one detective assigned to its cold case unit.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2024
Homicide detectives on Thursday identified 32-year-old Ricky Hunter as the suspect in the shooting, Gandhi said, and tracked him to the Arden Fair mall.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
Lead detective: Douglas Morning, douglas.morning@indy.gov.
—Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The headset also gives the show a way of stepping outside the confines of the detective genre and into an otherworldly space that has the recognizable markers of science fiction, like planets with multiple suns.
—Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2024
Hats off to you, detective James Webb Space Telescope.
—Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2024
In 2018, Steve Gibbs, at the time a detective sergeant with the Marion Co. Sheriff's Office, picked up the cold case.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Jan. 2024
Kim sets out to reveal the slasher’s identity, who might be stalking her, with the help of her friend, detective Gi-eun (Kim Su-yeon).
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 31 Mar. 2024
What starts as a detective mystery, pursued by the rumpled intelligence investigator Clarence Da Shi (Benedict Wong), escalates to a looming war of the worlds.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Holcomb was tracked to a nearby motel in Melvindale based on eyewitness accounts and other detective work, the Dearborn police said.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
The detective crime thriller about the dark side of fame was published in 2009 — which some readers assumed was based on Johnny’s life.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
The Witch Elm cantilevered off detective fiction and created something far more modern and angular than its predecessors, a novel that used an old foundation to fashion a new, more pointed structure.
—Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
During a stakeout, detectives witnessed Gonzalez searching for the package.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Those with information about the investigation are urged to call homicide detective Donald Willyard at 504-658-5300 or call Crimestoppers toll-free 1-877-903-STOP(7867).
—Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Anyone with information is asked to contact homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS hotline anonymously at (816) 474-TIPS.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Defense attorney Jason Bowles said during his closing argument there was a rush to judgment and that detectives didn't conduct a thorough investigation of the shooting.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024
Any tips on the shooting or the suspects can be called in to CPD's Area One detectives or made to the tipster's local police department.
—Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, there is only one detective assigned to its cold case unit.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2024
Homicide detectives on Thursday identified 32-year-old Ricky Hunter as the suspect in the shooting, Gandhi said, and tracked him to the Arden Fair mall.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024
Lead detective: Douglas Morning, douglas.morning@indy.gov.
—Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detective.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing detective
Articles Related to detective
Dictionary Entries Near detective
Cite this Entry
“Detective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detective. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
detective
1 of 2 adjective
de·tec·tive
di-ˈtek-tiv
: of or relating to detectives or their work
a detective story
detective
2 of 2 noun
: a person whose business is solving crimes and catching criminals or gathering information that is not easy to get
Legal Definition
detective
noun
de·tec·tive
: a person engaged or employed in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible
a police detective
hired a private detective
More from Merriam-Webster on detective
Nglish: Translation of detective for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of detective for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about detective
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