1
as in researcher
one who observes or studies by close examination and systematic inquiry
investigators who discovered new evidence that the universe was much older than had been previously estimated
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2
as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the investigator in charge of the case was touted as an expert at tracing stolen art
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of investigator
Kamara told investigators that Parker was present when two other adults let him into the hotel room.
—
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 1 May 2026
But investigators did not find any shell casings or blood in the basement or stairwell and did not find a knife at the scene, Aurora detectives wrote in the complaint.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Anyone with information may call police traffic investigators at 510-777-8570.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Kemp said investigators suspect the Brantley County fire was sparked by an aluminum party balloon that touched live power lines, creating an electrical arc that sparked flames on the ground.
—Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 1 May 2026
But investigators did not find any shell casings or blood in the basement or stairwell and did not find a knife at the scene, Aurora detectives wrote in the complaint.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Anyone with information may call police traffic investigators at 510-777-8570.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Kemp said investigators suspect the Brantley County fire was sparked by an aluminum party balloon that touched live power lines, creating an electrical arc that sparked flames on the ground.
—Emilie Megnien, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for investigator
Recent Examples of Synonyms for investigator
Noun
-
In 1942, a researcher tried to get twenty boys at a summer camp to stop biting their nails.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The system supports interchangeable components and exposes low-level interfaces for secondary development, enabling researchers to customize control, perception, and task execution.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
That evening, a detective assigned to a robbery intervention detail tried to stop a black Mercedes-Benz at Northwest 17th Avenue and 71st Street, according to a MDSO video.—
Sofia Saric,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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His gift is an uncanny ability to solve crimes that leave the LAPD baffled, armed only with the savvy and dry humor reminiscent of the gumshoe detectives of the noir genre.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Investigator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/investigator. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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