1
as in policemen
a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level
a hard-bitten L.A. shamus who, when he's not battling crooks, is locking horns with his superiors
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in detectives
a person not on the police force who investigates criminal or illicit activity or searches for missing persons
he's a shamus who mostly finds evidence to use in divorce cases
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shamuses
Noun
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Rivera said that detectives told her Xion was found on top of two of his little siblings after the shooting.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Apr. 2025 -
Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a 1-year-old girl who was found unresponsive in a licensed daycare center in Rancho San Diego on Tuesday.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Police asked people to stay out of the area while a large contingent of officers continued to search for the suspect, Beckwith said.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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As officers approached, the suspect took off running toward the crowded parking lot and the drive-thru area.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The human resources department cited telehealth providers, investigators and inspectors as examples of employees who fit into this exception.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
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On June 5, 2023, investigators said Bell got into an argument with a 39-year-old male co-worker after his shift at the Tropicana plant in Bradenton.—
Michael Moore Jr.,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Shamuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shamuses. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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