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strip search
noun
: a search for something concealed on a person made after removal of the person's clothing
Examples of strip search in a Sentence
The administrators ordered random strip searches of all prisoners.
Recent Examples on the Web
The courts have increasingly erred on the side of giving government officials—especially the police—vast discretion in carrying out strip searches, blood draws and even anal and vaginal probes for a broad range of violations, no matter how minor the offense.
—Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 7 May 2024
Once taken to the police station, she was subjected to a strip search and held for 15 hours before being required to post a nearly $3,000 bond in order to be released.
—Jonathan Franklin, NPR, 26 Apr. 2024
The settlement announced Friday still requires approval by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres in federal court in New York.
Clark and Aziz’s attorney, O. Andrew F. Wilson, said forcing someone to remove religious clothing is akin to a strip search.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024
Each said that their time at the wilderness camp began with a strip search, in some cases with no underwear, by a staff member.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024
Once taken there, the youths were cut off from the outside world, forced to adhere to strange guidelines and in some instances, allegedly, physically abused, beginning with the strip search to which they were subjected on arrival.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Then, the inmate, Warren and two other officers headed to a room where strip searches are conducted, and the inmate faced the door as part of protocol, according to the plea agreement.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024
Complaints against the department allege beatings and strip searches of suspects at a warehouse that the street crime unit used for interrogations, which allegedly turned violent and during which police officers would allegedly turn off their body cameras.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2023
The complaints allege detainees taken to the facility were beaten or subjected to strip searches.
—Kevin Conlon, CNN, 28 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'strip search.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near strip search
Cite this Entry
“Strip search.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strip%20search. Accessed 16 Jun. 2024.
Legal Definition
strip-search
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to conduct a strip search of
strip search
2 of 2see search
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