as in detective
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
the popular TV sleuth lives a much more action-packed life than do his real-world counterparts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sleuth
Horrified by the secrets revealed by Bateman, Christine Marie and Katas were emboldened to go undercover as amateur sleuths.
—
Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Referring to himself with words like spy, detective, gumshoe, Wilbur pulls all kinds of sleuth-like maneuvers to find out ingredients and amounts used in the recipes.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
Trachtenberg rose to prominence as a child on The Adventures of Pete & Pete and as the titular sleuth in Harriet the Spy (1996).
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
But as sleuths have noted, there is publishing precedent for a Communion with a colon attached.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Referring to himself with words like spy, detective, gumshoe, Wilbur pulls all kinds of sleuth-like maneuvers to find out ingredients and amounts used in the recipes.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
Trachtenberg rose to prominence as a child on The Adventures of Pete & Pete and as the titular sleuth in Harriet the Spy (1996).
—Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026
But as sleuths have noted, there is publishing precedent for a Communion with a colon attached.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
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
-
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
Noun
-
Forensic investigators will determine whether the shooting was accidental, police said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 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
Cite this Entry
“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
