false arrest

noun

: an arrest not justifiable under law

Examples of false arrest in a Sentence

He's suing the police for false arrest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Across the country, license-plate readers have been implicated in false arrests. — Idaho Statesman, 20 Sep. 2026

Lindsey has since filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against two Florida Highway Patrol troopers involved in the investigation, alleging false arrest, wrongful imprisonment and malicious prosecution. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Pizzarelli is seeking $750,000 in damages for claims that include malicious prosecutions, false arrest and negligence. — Katie Mulvaney, The Providence Journal, 8 Aug. 2026

Maddox, who was released, is seeking $250,000 for assault, false arrest, negligence, defamation, and false imprisonment. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for false arrest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed
• celeste

Legal Definition

false arrest

see also:

arrest