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
New York police are investigating a new video of three people emerging from a manhole in Manhattan, months after similar incidents were deemed to pose no threat to the public. — Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026 The Rocky Hill Police Department obtained an arrest warrant charging his with murder and violation of a standing criminal protective order, police said. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 The palace cannot police every teenager with an iPhone, but the press can make a conscious decision not to create a market for those intrusive photographs. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 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
  • In addition, a law creating new asylum eligibility requirements, including new time limits for applying, went into effect earlier this year.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Steven Baicker-McKee, a law professor at Duquesne University and an expert in civil procedure, told CNBC that an advisory jury amounts to an add-on to a bench trial.
    — Jeffrey Kopp, CNBC, 22 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
  • From the late 1800s, a prominent Sicilian family controlled the tuna industry here with multiple factories and fisheries, thriving until the 1960s.
    — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Epic sued Apple after the iPhone maker removed Fortnite from the App Store, accusing the company of illegally controlling the way apps were distributed and payments were processed on iPhones.
    — Jeffrey Kopp, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • Charlotte has temporarily barred uptown food vendors from operating after midnight, citing a rise in late-night violence in the area.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
  • In one specific day-time application the OLED display would burn out in less than one week of operation due to the amount of current required to operate the display degrading the cheaper OLED material so quickly.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • Sleep can also deteriorate, disrupting hormones that help regulate hunger.
    — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Experiencing water passively, as when savoring a lake or ocean view or hearing the sounds of waves, can also spur calm and help regulate stress response.
    — Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • And the latest poll, conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley, found 48% of likely voters support it, 41% oppose it and 11% are undecided.
    — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • This will be the third spacewalk for Menon and the second for Adenot, the first French woman ever to conduct an EVA.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • The primary consideration governing watches, jewelry and other personal adornment is player safety.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • This rough revenue profile is not uncommon for major sports nonprofit governing bodies.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of govern
Verb
  • The regime appears to have more pressing priorities – presenting the conflict with the United States as an existential struggle, managing the deep economic fall-out and reorganizing the security apparatus under the leadership of Mojtaba Khamenei.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That was because his closest challenger, Lewis Hamilton, could only manage seventh in the sprint.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 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 28 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on police

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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