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

The lawsuit alleges negligence, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false arrests, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, attorney Michael Gallagher said at a news conference Monday. — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

The federal lawsuit alleges negligence, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution, false arrest, and false imprisonment. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

The four officers were charged with making false arrests, planting evidence, using excessive force, falsifying police reports and assaulting people in west Oakland, a predominantly Black area. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

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