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
Davie police identified the owner of the Hyundai as 66-year-old Gregorio Puentes Fuentes, and officers tracked the car to his home. Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 Sacramento police diverted traffic from N Street between Fifth and Sixth streets downtown as the march proceeded, Gamble said. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
To oversee them, crush them, keep them in line, and police their political imaginations. Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026 Regulators continue to examine how major platforms police fraudulent content and advertiser behavior. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
Noun
  • The board’s unanimous vote came weeks after pension-plan actuaries confirmed the program would be cost-neutral, as state law requires.
    Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The opposing side has said that Idaho’s law targets and harms trans women and girls and that Hecox, specifically, mitigated any potential advantages through hormone treatments.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 14 Jan. 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
  • The state Department of Education controls public education, under the leadership of the governor and the Legislature.
    SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The farmers also pitched in with efforts of their own, including adjusting fertilizer methods, controlling soil erosion and increasing on-site water retention.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Consumers quickly turned to social media and OPS for answers after learning that diesel fuel was mixed with regular unleaded gasoline and distributed to gas stations operated by Costco, Murphy Express and King Soopers.
    Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
  • These include opening a sliding door, operating a toilet seat, ironing clothes, and brushing a human’s hair.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The court’s eventual ruling could have broad implications for how schools nationwide regulate transgender participation in athletics.
    Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Additionally, sprouted whole-grain bread is significantly higher in blood-pressure-regulating minerals such as magnesium than bread made with refined white flour.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Can Minnesota conduct its own investigation?
    Esme Murphy, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge conducted the first large-scale analysis of isotopic and ancient DNA data in cemeteries from early medieval England to assess their migration patterns, according to a press release by the University of Edinburgh.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Advertisement The unrest has also been shaped by long-standing anger over social restrictions enforced by the state, including strict rules governing dress and personal behavior.
    Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Colleyville Of the cities in Tarrant County, Colleyville has some of the most stringent regulations governing e-bikes and e-scooters.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In the past, American capitalism, despite its many faults, had managed to develop a safety net that compensated a little for its exploitations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Ownership also involves financial responsibility, with car insurance playing a role in how people manage and protect their assets.
    Ethan M. Stone, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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