sleuthed
Dug for clues
Sleuthed is the past tense of sleuth, meaning to investigate or search for information like a detective.
The verb comes from the noun sleuth (short for sleuthhound, a tracking dog).
She sleuthed through old records until she found the deed.
He sleuthed out the source of the leak.
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
- HolmesFictional London investigator
- PoirotFictional Belgian detective
- SpadeFictional sleuth's surname
- gumshoeInformal term for detective
Columbo · Marlowe · investigator · shamus · operative · snoop · Wolfe · Scooby
Sought knowledge systematically
- examinedLooked at closely
- scrutinizedExamined in close detail
- analyzedStudied methodically for meaning
- probedInvestigated in depth
inspected · uncovered · discovered · unearthed · traced · tracked · verified · followed-up
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
- enigmaSomething hard to fathom
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- riddlePuzzling question to solve
- secretsConcealed information
unknown · conundrum · cryptic · suspense · intrigue · thriller · locked-room · unsolved
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- trailPath through wilderness
- leadsGoes in front
forensics · DNA · bloodstains · alibi · testimony · witness · signs · cipher
Secret, undetected movement
- shadowLight blocked by object
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
- tailingSecretly following someone
surveilling · snooping · skulking · tracking · trailing · watching · observing · reconnaissance
Sherlock
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
Columbo · Marlowe · gumshoe · investigator · shamus · operative · snoop · Wolfe · Scooby
researched
Sought knowledge systematically
- examinedLooked at closely
- scrutinizedExamined in close detail
- analyzedStudied methodically for meaning
probed · inspected · uncovered · discovered · unearthed · traced · tracked · verified · followed-up · cracked
whodunit
Crime fiction identifying perpetrator
secrets · unknown · conundrum · cryptic · suspense · intrigue · thriller · locked-room · unsolved · caper
evidence
Facts supporting truth
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
- footprintsMarks left by walking
- trailPath through wilderness
leads · forensics · DNA · bloodstains · alibi · testimony · witness · signs · cipher · code
stealth
Secret, undetected movement
- shadowLight blocked by object
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stakeoutProlonged covert observation
tailing · surveilling · snooping · skulking · tracking · trailing · watching · observing · reconnaissance · incognito
sleuthedignored
Purposely not noticed
overlooked · neglected · missed · disregarded · glossed over
sleuthedlost
Unable to navigate
misplaced · forgot · drew a blank · bungled · fumbled
sleuthedconcealed
Made invisible deliberately
hid · buried · covered up · suppressed · obscured
- amateur sleuthNonprofessional crime investigator