as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
unable to get the interest of the police, they hired a private eye to find their missing daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private eyes
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
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eyes
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
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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 trio took the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a PaleyFest event commemorating five decades of Charlie's Angels, the groundbreaking ABC series that followed a group of female private detectives.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
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Jackson was involved with the show — which followed three beautiful private detectives — from the very beginning, helping Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg put together the idea after her time on The Rookies.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The report wasn’t news to NFL teams, which routinely employ private investigators to dig into draft prospects and compile detailed reports on their backgrounds.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Priestley and Supernatural’s Cindy Sampson have reprised their roles as private investigators Matt Shade and Angie Everett in the series, which was originally greenlit by Canada’s Corus Entertainment.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Private eyes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eyes. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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