investigative
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for investigative, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Relating to or involving investigation, especially into wrongdoing.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use investigative
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “investigative” mean?
The word “investigative” means relating to or involving investigation, especially into wrongdoing. In plain terms, having to do with digging into facts, especially to expose something hidden.
How do you pronounce “investigative”?
“Investigative” is pronounced ihn-VEHS-tih-guh-tihv (/ɪnˈvɛstɪɡətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “investigative” in a sentence?
Here is “investigative” used in a sentence: “She works as an investigative journalist, digging up stories others miss.”
What part of speech is “investigative”?
“Investigative” is an adjective.
Is “investigative” a common word?
“Investigative” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between investigative and investigatory?
Investigative and investigatory are largely interchangeable adjectives relating to investigation, but investigative is far more common in everyday and journalistic use, as in investigative journalism. Investigatory appears more often in formal, legal, or bureaucratic contexts.
What is investigative journalism?
Investigative journalism is reporting that involves investigation, especially into wrongdoing, typically requiring in-depth research, document review, and interviews to uncover facts that are not readily available. It is distinguished from routine news reporting by its focus on exposing hidden or hard-to-find information.
What other fields use the word investigative besides journalism?
Investigative is also used in law enforcement, such as an investigative unit or investigative techniques, as well as in science and medicine, where investigative studies examine a problem in depth before drawing conclusions.