as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the firm hired a hawkshaw to find out who was fencing stock from their warehouse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hawkshaws
Noun
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Execution-style murder Within weeks, detectives arrested Jackson, a neighbor whose fingerprints and DNA were found inside the home, according to authorities.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026 -
Following his court appearance, Evanston police detectives later took Lee into custody in connection with the Mason Park shooting, according to the report.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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At the time, federal investigators in Boston were heavily focused on violent crime, drug trafficking and organized crime cases.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
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According to Diane, at the time of Denise’s disappearance, investigators searched fields and open land for any sign of her, but nothing was ever recovered.—
Sarah Dahlberg,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The untitled half-hour project is a workplace comedy set in the world of private detectives, which continues the proud tradition of Los Angeles private eyes that began with Philip Marlowe and will end with this show.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Hawkshaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hawkshaws. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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