COPS Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

cops 1 of 2

noun

plural of cop

as in policemen

a member of a force charged with law enforcement at the local level a cop stopped her for speeding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

civilians

cops

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cop, slang

as in buys

to get possession of (something) by giving money in exchange for I copped a great outfit for only $50

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in grabs

to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly some concertgoers rushed pell-mell through the doors so that they could cop the seats down front

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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 cops

Noun

With his tires slashed by Todd and cops en route, Fang selects a glossy red muscle car for his getaway. — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026 On Sunday, cops arrested Larry Powlis, who’d been caught on video leaving the 67-year-old victim’s building the day Panetti’s body was discovered. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026 The 83-year-old Mann is known for directing gritty crime stories, many of which look at cops and criminals and are set in urban landscapes. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 1 Nov. 2026 This summer, cities were terminating contracts at a record pace, with Flock haters crossing political divides to unite against the invasive cameras that many cops abuse and misuse. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026 Mom and dad continue to push the same narrative that the cops were called on the boy. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Also well drawn is the relationship between Caitlyn and her longtime fiancé John (Max Minghella), one of Gotham’s few uncorrupt cops who happens to be investigating the string of murders that follow in Matt’s wake. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 Dozens of armored cops were still standing guard, shields raised, after a night when 500 people were taken into custody in the French capital alone. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cops

Noun

The second was when Lula, in response, called Flávio Bolsonaro a vigilante, in a reference to groups linked to policemen that are operating in poor communities in Rio de Janeiro.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Onlookers and policemen rushed to the balloon’s basket to find the three men lying crumpled on the ground.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of policemen

Verb

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also scrapped some ad buys in both states down the stretch, decisions that paid off as the party won both seats early on Tuesday night.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Your money buys you less While Americans are technically earning more in dollar terms on average, paychecks are not keeping up with the pace of inflation.

— Alexandra Meier, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of buys

Verb

Lithium grabs the spotlight, but cheap and abundant sodium has long held the key to large-scale energy storage.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Testing spoons stored in a manner where lip contact surface contamination could happen when employee grabs the spoon from container.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of grabs

Noun

The service's Inspector Jeff Tyre said in a video message that the second body had been found in a search by Royal Canadian Mounted Police and conservation officers on Tuesday afternoon after the discovery of the first set of remains a day earlier.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Lawyers are officers of the court, bound by ethical obligations to pursue claims in good faith and not abuse the legal process for improper purposes.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of officers

Verb

The single most suspicious thing Johnny does, though, is be at Carla’s while everyone else is at the office working late the night before court, not that anyone catches that.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
No security tool catches every threat, so continue checking unexpected messages carefully.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026