cops 1 of 2

Definition of copsnext
plural of cop

cops

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cop, slang

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
But cops said Shin was the actual attacker. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026 But here’s the thing about cops, local, state or federal. Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Some cops and city officials were unresponsive, even corrupt. Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 And the governor, the mayor, and the cops can’t help. Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 But the legislation kept that data hidden from public view, so agencies can hire wandering cops in secret – and small-town budgets create a powerful incentive to do so. Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026 The music video interposes clips of a nation on fire—thieves and looters running rampant, protesters spitting in cops’ faces—with footage of Aldean and his band playing in front of a courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, vowing to deliver justice. Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cops
Noun
  • But as concerned as the reactions may be, politicians and policemen alike seem to knowingly (and preemptively) pass the blame around.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
  • At such protests, white policemen often famously saved their worst acts of brutality for the few white demonstrators.
    Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Everybody buys groceries, and everyone has felt the increase in costs over the last few years.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The one who buys her full wardrobe after getting there.
    Jessika Hardy, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Soon thereafter, a gear fishing pal of yours gifted you an old, unused fly rod, and that totally grabs a hold of you and completely directs the rest of your life.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The man grabs her and also takes her cell phone.
    Jermont Terry, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The trial is part of a broader push to hold more people accountable for a school shooting, including the shooter’s parents and responding law enforcement officers.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • But until May, they were understood to not allow law enforcement officers to enter a suspect's home.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Nanos told the outlet that Walmart has provided investigators with records of all Ozark Trail Hiker purchases online and in-store over the last several months, including outside of the Tucson, Arizona, metro area.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The Federal Reserve drops interest rates down to zero and purchases hundreds of billions of dollars of safe assets, making borrowing cheaper for families and encouraging businesses to invest.
    Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Although the paint job catches the eye, the new stands, which cost about $87,000 each, have several features that will be helpful to lifeguards and beachgoers.
    Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Your keen insight catches what others miss — even a small domestic shift can turn nagging stress into quiet stability that feeds body and mind!
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Agencies assisting included Tarrant County constables, police departments from Fort Worth and Forest Hill, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Harris County leaders worry a new law could leave them on the hook for higher costs by allowing constables to negotiate patrol contracts with neighborhood associations without approval.
    John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The appearance lands as SXSW marks four decades in Austin, with this year’s festival scheduled for March 12–18.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Who is in the boardroom also impacts who lands in the C-suite.
    Diane Brady, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cops.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cops. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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