private eyes

plural of private eye
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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for private eyes
Noun
  • Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators are also looking into if the man was connected to the shooting reported the previous night.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The scripts were written based on their own reporting, including court documents, investigation transcripts, and interviews with detectives, witnesses, and even Laurie Valdez, an old friend of Wuornos’ who’d never previously spoken with the press.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Jamal allegedly promised to protect the Feeding Our Future operatives against the threat of prosecution, took their money, and then turned some of them over to investigators.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But as investigators reviewed Vorcaro’s messages, the scandal spread to Flávio’s own campaign.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, private detectives probed Hadley’s vulnerabilities as a witness.
    — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • During the test, two private investigators were hired to conduct surveillance on Hogan.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
  • At the news conference Monday, Khalil also accused the university of surveilling pro-Palestinian students and hiring private investigators to monitor him.
    — Sudhin Thanawala, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Private eyes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/private%20eyes. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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