police 1 of 2

Definition of policenext
1
as in law
the department of government that keeps order, fights crime, and enforces statutes the appearance of a ransom note meant that the teenager's disappearance was now a matter for the police

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in constabulary
a body of officers of the law the National Guard will serve as backup for the metropolitan police in the event of violent protests

Synonyms & Similar Words

police

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of police
Noun
Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds and ultimately ended with a brief police presence on the floor. Steve Reed, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 State police offer forensic services programs The Indiana State Police (ISP) will offer a new program targeted toward those interested in seeking a career in forensic services. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
Residents turned in five guns to police on the first day. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026 Such officers are not typically deployed to police American streets, experts said. Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
Noun
  • Canada already has far stronger gun laws than the United States, and mass shootings are extremely rare.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Democrats are calling for judicial warrants before agents can enter private property, a ban on ICE agents wearing face masks, requiring the use of body cameras and new laws for use-of-force standards.
    Justin Gomez, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The local constabulary said the British Transport Police was leading the investigation.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The decision was made on the advice of West Midlands Police, the constabulary with responsibility for overseeing security at the match.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And on the other side, artists can really control what the narratives are about them.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • The story about a woman, who is considered a cursed bride, and her husband, who pretends to be possessed in an attempt to control her, is the first all-Pakistani feature at the Berlin International Film Festival, which has in the past featured Pakistani co-productions.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Milwaukee grocery stores will also operate regular business hours on Presidents Day.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The next stage of reward prediction depends on the fact that the reward system does not operate in isolation.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Four years later, the Coastal Act became state law, regulating development in collaboration with local government agencies, guaranteeing public access and protecting marine and coastal habitats.
    Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Seamless construction meant no chafing, the wide waistband sat comfortably against the belly, and the 100% wool material offered temperature-regulating bliss.
    Anna Callaghan, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Once recruited, victims were allegedly forced to conduct romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes and other online frauds targeting victims abroad.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
  • Grand jury proceedings require only probable cause, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and are conducted without defense counsel present.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Kennedy received a verbal warning from governing body World Curling a day after the feisty back-and-forth with the Swedish team, when fingers were pointed and the Canadian player repeatedly swore.
    STEVE DOUGLAS, Arkansas Online, 15 Feb. 2026
  • On the governance front, Dallas leaders voted Wednesday to support shrinking the city’s power to at least 45% on DART’s board, which some cities say doesn’t give a fair voice or vote to smaller suburbs represented by the 15-member governing body.
    Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • So now, a team that has defeated conference leaders such as Oklahoma City, Denver, Detroit and New York, also has managed to fall to the lottery likes of Utah, Indiana and Sacramento, with the 15-40 Pelicans up next.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Interestingly, and likely due to the fact that all six episodes were released at once, Steal even managed to make Luminate’s Top 50 list just based on its first two days of viewing.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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