police state
noun
: a political unit characterized by repressive governmental control of political, economic, and social life usually by an arbitrary exercise of power by police and especially secret police in place of regular operation of administrative and judicial organs of the government according to publicly known legal procedures
Examples of police state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are ways to enforce immigration policies without devolving into a police state.
—
Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Trump claimed the immigration crackdown was designed to remove violent criminals, but agents—often wearing face coverings, which is reminiscent of the garb of security forces in third-world police states—have swarmed over small businesses, farms, restaurants and factories.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
History shows that once an authoritarian ruler establishes the infrastructure of a police state, that same infrastructure can be turned on anyone.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
The rhetoric from this administration will lead us all into a police state.
— Harry Hofherr, North Barrington
Nation’s core values
This is not a letter about politics, or parties, or how anyone may have voted.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for police state
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Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2025
Trump claimed the immigration crackdown was designed to remove violent criminals, but agents—often wearing face coverings, which is reminiscent of the garb of security forces in third-world police states—have swarmed over small businesses, farms, restaurants and factories.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
History shows that once an authoritarian ruler establishes the infrastructure of a police state, that same infrastructure can be turned on anyone.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2025
The rhetoric from this administration will lead us all into a police state.
— Harry Hofherr, North Barrington
Nation’s core values
This is not a letter about politics, or parties, or how anyone may have voted.
—Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for police state
Cite this Entry
“Police state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20state. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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