police 1 of 2

noun

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

as in to control

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Anil Thapa, a police inspector coordinating the handling of the bodies, said another 50 bodies were having DNA samples taken ahead of their likely burial Sunday. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 The breakdown of heisted products from an original police report includes 860 cases of 15-packs of 25-ounce cans of PBR, an American-style lager, and 546 cases of 30-packs of 12-ounce PBR. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
Police agencies that embrace these systems to make their work easier can’t be trusted to police themselves in such matters. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026 In both cases, these are tools consumers take with them across platforms and websites, rather than depending on each platform to police every claim on their behalf. — Avi Tuschman, STAT, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
  1. law
  2. constabulary
  3. control
  4. operate
  5. regulate
  6. conduct
  7. govern
  8. manage
Noun
  • Bonta, New York's Attorney General Letitia James, and 14 other state attorneys filed a lawsuit against TikTok in 2024 for violating consumer protection laws.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Courts in Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere aren’t bound by 10th Circuit precedent and can reach different or even opposite decisions on the exact same questions of law.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Several British constabularies have added EVs to their fleets for urban policing duties, often using models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf and the BMW i3.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The local constabulary said the British Transport Police was leading the investigation.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of constabulary
Verb
  • During an operation, a surgeon controls robotic arms fitted with small instruments while viewing the surgical area through a three-dimensional vision system.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Japanese doctors have advised patients reporting rashes or difficulty controlling bowels after frequent use to stop until symptoms clear, per the AP.
    — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • Some help surgeons operate with greater precision, while others disinfect rooms, transport supplies, assist patients during rehabilitation, or provide comfort to people who are distressed.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Eight other reservoirs operated by the Bureau of Reclamation recently recorded the lowest levels in at least the last 30 years.
    — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • Most Popular For Holey, skincare shouldn’t overpower the skin, but support it in regulating itself.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
  • They’re regulated on the federal level by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Mayor Zohran Mamdani said an internal investigation will be conducted and that the body-camera footage will be released to the public.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • William Roberson Polaris’ Ride Command system governs the crisp 7-inch center touchscreen display (above), which features Apple CarPlay and full GPS operability.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • One of Burning Man’s ten governing principles is radical self-expression, and the clothes complied.
    — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of govern
Verb
  • With much of the country's economy geared toward its lucrative and well-managed fishing industry, fishing rights have been a talking point in the run-up to the referendum.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rebecca Sanders, a national safety practice leader at the transportation consulting firm Fehr & Peers, led a 2019 report at Arizona State University and Toole Design looking at various strategies used across the country to manage speed.
    — Jeff McMurray, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of manage

Phrases Containing police

Browse Nearby Words

polestars
police
police action
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Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on police

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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