Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun detective

2 senses of detective

Sense 1
detective, investigator, tec, police detective -- (a police officer who investigates crimes)
       => policeman, police officer, officer -- (a member of a police force; "it was an accident, officer")

Sense 2
detective -- (an investigator engaged or employed in obtaining information not easily available to the public)
       => investigator -- (someone who investigates)