Synonyms for the word "gumshoes" include detectives, sleuths, private investigators, investigators, agents, operatives, and plainclothes officers. These words are often used interchangeably to describe individuals who are tasked with conducting discreet research or undercover work in order to solve crimes or gather information for their clients, whether they are working in law enforcement or in the private sector. While the term "gumshoes" has a nostalgic appeal and has been used to describe classic detective heroes in literature and film, these synonyms have a more contemporary feel and are often used in modern crime fiction and investigative journalism.