1
as in law
the department of government that keeps order, fights crime, and enforces statutes
the appearance of a ransom note meant that the teenager's disappearance was now a matter for the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in constabulary
a body of officers of the law
the National Guard will serve as backup for the metropolitan police in the event of violent protests
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to control
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 police
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The man had been in custody since November, when San Jose police arrested him on suspicion of robbery.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Lauren Victory, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Faced with independent inspectors finding safety problems at the plant, the government regulators effectively allowed Fukushima to police itself, leading to several major issues that came to a head when the plant was overwhelmed by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for police
Noun
Report downed power lines to the police.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
The man had been in custody since November, when San Jose police arrested him on suspicion of robbery.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
The victim's lawyers say CPS failed to investigate the security guard thoroughly and never reported the allegations to police.
—Lauren Victory, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Faced with independent inspectors finding safety problems at the plant, the government regulators effectively allowed Fukushima to police itself, leading to several major issues that came to a head when the plant was overwhelmed by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
Noun
-
Italy's Constitutional Court on March 12 upheld a 2025 law restricting citizenship to persons with an Italian parent or grandparent.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Uncompensated seizure under the land-expropriation law can only be pursued under narrow circumstances—when land is unused or has been abandoned, for example—and the program seemingly has yet to seize any property.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The local constabulary said the British Transport Police was leading the investigation.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The decision was made on the advice of West Midlands Police, the constabulary with responsibility for overseeing security at the match.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans, who control half of the Minnesota House, pointed out that DHS failed to detect fraud for years.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Inside the cabin, the Ti3 integrates electronically controlled seating systems designed for ergonomic customization.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a letter to Newsom in June, commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda said the main factors driving refinery closures were falling demand for gasoline, increasing competition from global consolidation, aging infrastructure requiring significant maintenance, and a high cost of operating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The armature around the scenes—cameras and mikes and props, along with the people who operate and manage them—adds to the austere, theatrical atmosphere.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s a lot of science behind this practice, but to put it simply, baking in a water bath regulates and moderates the temperature of the baked good, encouraging an even bake.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Probiotics have become a buzzword in grocery aisles and on social media, in part because of a growing body of research highlighting the importance of a healthy gut microbiome – the body’s vast ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes that helps regulate digestion, metabolism and immune function.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
According to Ukraine’s state news agency United24, the country conducted thousands of robotic operations in January alone, most focused on logistics such as delivering ammunition, weapons, and supplies to frontline troops, reports Futurism.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Kyle Kirkwood won the race, conducted through the entertainment district around Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many adopt a Christian-nationalist framework, arguing that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and should be governed as such.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Formula 1 and its governing body FIA said the Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not happen in April because of safety concerns related to the Iran war.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yet Iran has still managed to halt the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
-
But for those who qualify, the long-term tax-free growth and withdrawal flexibility typically outweigh the absence of an immediate deduction — especially for someone already managing a complex retirement income picture.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
