as in detective
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of private eye
Levitt stars in Killer Heat as Nick Bali, a private eye who travels to the Greek island of Crete to investigate the death of shipping magnate Leo Vardakis (Richard Madden), who plunged to his death during a free solo rock climb.
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Tim Lammers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
The film closes with Stephanie thriving as a successful vlogger and part-time private eye while Emily, ever the con artist, adjusts to life in prison.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Continue reading … DARK WATERS – Natalee Holloway private eye's stark warning after another American student goes missing.
—Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
These private eyes spy on children in order to determine who is or isn’t living within the district’s strict attendance boundaries.
—Tim Deroche, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Tim Lammers, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
The film closes with Stephanie thriving as a successful vlogger and part-time private eye while Emily, ever the con artist, adjusts to life in prison.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Continue reading … DARK WATERS – Natalee Holloway private eye's stark warning after another American student goes missing.
—Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
These private eyes spy on children in order to determine who is or isn’t living within the district’s strict attendance boundaries.
—Tim Deroche, Orange County Register, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for private eye
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eye
Noun
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Metro Nashville Police Department homicide detectives are investigating after a woman's body, covered by a garbage bag, was discovered off the side of the road in South Nashville on July 19.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 July 2025
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Police have classified the death a homicide, and detectives are investigating.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
Noun
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According to investigators, Melina and her father crossed into the U.S. from Canada on July 11 for what was supposed to be a vacation.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
23 July 2025
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The suspect fled on foot and dropped the gun, according to investigators.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Daniel Craig is back as private detective Benoit Blanc, with Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church all part of the ensemble.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
9 July 2025
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After Beom-jun leaves the hospital against medical advice, Ju-yeon uses the private detective agency to switch out Beom-jun’s pain medication for fentanyl.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fed up, Anna hired a private investigator suggested by a friend of a friend who’s an entertainment mogul.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
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Her mother said a private investigator revealed that her daughter's boyfriend, William Canterbury, had previously been arrested for domestic violence.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Private eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eye. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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