Definition of sleuthnext
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

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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 sleuth Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 Amateur sleuths, armchair lawyers and influencers have turned the soon-to-conclude trial into snackable, whodunit content, dissecting every detail and advancing their own theories across TikTok and other social platforms. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Internet sleuths accused him of trying to improve his lie in the rough, similar to allegations against Bryson DeChambeau at the British Open last month. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 Entertainment industry deaths Internet would-be sleuths have popped up in Zach’s Hickerson’s comments on social media this week. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sleuth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sleuth
Noun
  • 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
  • Sharon Raydor, played by Mary McDonnell, in charge of her team, an endearing, quirky crew of veteran detectives who show up en masse at every crime scene like Mystery Incorporated.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The first trial of Payton and Dandrae Martin lasted weeks and included extensive testimony from police investigators, gang experts and the defendants themselves.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • By that time, investigators had run down anonymous tips, interviewed witnesses and contacted attorneys hired by the accused, the documents show.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sleuth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sleuth. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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