DETECTIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for DETECTIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “detective”? Find 6 synonyms and 30 related words for “detective” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Detective” are: investigator, police detective, tec, private detective, private investigator, operative

Detective as a Noun

Definitions of "Detective" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “detective” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• An investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public.
• Concerning crime and its investigation.
• Denoting a rank of police officer with investigative duties.
• A police officer who investigates crimes.
• A person, especially a police officer, whose occupation is to investigate and solve crimes.

Synonyms of "Detective" as a noun (6 Words)

investigator	Someone who investigates. Accident investigators are at the crash site.
operative	A secret agent or private detective. A CIA operative.
police detective	The force of policemen and officers.
private detective	An enlisted man of the lowest rank in the Army or Marines.
private investigator	An enlisted man of the lowest rank in the Army or Marines.
tec	A detective.

Usage Examples of "Detective" as a noun

• Detectives are anxious to interview anyone who saw the car.
• Detective work.
• A detective inspector.

Associations of "Detective" (30 Words)

allegation	A formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law. He made allegations of corruption against the administration.
analytic	Using or subjected to a methodology using algebra and calculus. All spinsters are unmarried is an analytic proposition.
checkpoint	A barrier or manned entrance, typically at a border, where security checks are carried out on travellers.
cop	Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman. He had the cop on to stay clear of Hugh Thornley.
deduction	The inference of particular instances by reference to a general law or principle. The dividend will be paid without deduction of tax.
deductive	Characterized by or based on the inference of particular instances from a general law. I used my deductive powers.
delve	Dig; excavate. The approach from the surface above had awed her so hugely delved were the tunnels.
enquire	Have a wish or desire to know something.
examine	Question or examine thoroughly and closely. The customs agent examined the baggage.
extrapolation	Calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values. Caution is advised in the interpretation and extrapolation of results.
feasibility	The state or degree of being easily or conveniently done. The feasibility of screening athletes for cardiac disease.
forensic	A laboratory or department responsible for forensic tests. Forensic photograph.
guess	Form a correct conclusion about something by guessing. She s guessed where we re going.
infiltrate	Enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members. Virtually no water infiltrates deserts such as the Sahara.
inquest	A coroner’s jury. An inquest by New York newspapers into a subway fire.
investigate	Investigate scientifically. The district attorney s office investigated reports of possible irregularities.
investigation	The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research. He is under investigation for receiving illicit funds.
investigator	A police officer who investigates crimes. Investigators found no signs of forced entry.
logical	Marked by an orderly logical and aesthetically consistent relation of parts. The polar expedition is a logical extension of his Arctic travels.
police	Of a police force have the duty of maintaining law and order in or at an area or event. The regulations will be policed by factory inspectors.
probe	Examine physically with or as if with a probe. A probe into city hall corruption.
pry	Inquire too closely into a person’s private affairs. Sorry I didn t mean to pry.
ratiocinate	Reason methodologically and logically. A tendency to ratiocinate in isolation.
ratiocination	The proposition arrived at by logical reasoning (such as the proposition that must follow from the major and minor premises of a syllogism.
reasoning	Thinking that is coherent and logical. He explained the reasoning behind his decision at a media conference.
reconnoiter	Explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody.
researcher	A person whose job involves discovering or verifying information for use in a book, programme, etc. Radio and TV researchers.
scan	A medical examination using a scanner. Their brains are scanned so that researchers can monitor the progress of the disease.
scrutinize	To look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail. Customers were warned to scrutinize the small print.
whodunit	A story about a crime (usually murder) presented as a novel or play or movie.