as in sensors
a device that detects some physical quantity and responds usually with a transmitted signal
a motion detector to thwart burglaries
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Recent Examples of detectors
Just one second after the officer's back is fully turned, Allen can be seen charging from the room and through one of the standing detectors with a weapon in his hands.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This development could pave the way for super-precise thermometers and chemical detectors that work at a microscopic level.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
The detectors were right outside the event hall and where the bathrooms for the event were located, and the assailant was taken to the ground about 10 to 15 feet beyond them, attendees said.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
All short-term rentals would be required to meet applicable building, fire, and health codes, including working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and safe structural components.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
People entering the visitors' galleries to watch floor debates must go through a second set of detectors.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
That will be paired with an array of 18 individual detectors, each capable of capturing 4096 x 4096 pixels.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
The window and door sensors worked perfectly in testing, as did the motion detectors.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Because the fire was burning in the garage, on the opposite side of the home, the detectors inside the house weren’t triggered.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 May 2026
This development could pave the way for super-precise thermometers and chemical detectors that work at a microscopic level.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Apr. 2026
The detectors were right outside the event hall and where the bathrooms for the event were located, and the assailant was taken to the ground about 10 to 15 feet beyond them, attendees said.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
All short-term rentals would be required to meet applicable building, fire, and health codes, including working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and safe structural components.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026
People entering the visitors' galleries to watch floor debates must go through a second set of detectors.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
That will be paired with an array of 18 individual detectors, each capable of capturing 4096 x 4096 pixels.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
The window and door sensors worked perfectly in testing, as did the motion detectors.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Because the fire was burning in the garage, on the opposite side of the home, the detectors inside the house weren’t triggered.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detectors
sensors
Noun
-
These sensors help with reconnaissance and surveillance, so operators can gather information before striking.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
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With an 18-hour battery life and many sensors, this smartwatch tracks steps, heart rate, blood oxygen and sleep habits.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detectors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detectors. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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