police 1 of 2

noun

Definition of policenext
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

police

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
Reuters — The Thai teen behind a deadly school shooting outside Bangkok had an air gun confiscated by a teacher last year and had watched violent content online, police said on Sunday, as the government promised new safety protocols for schools. — CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 The presenter, former journalist Anchalee Paireerak, was seen reacting with shock and told him to wait for police to arrive. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
After Russia’s attempts to exploit social-media networks in 2016, some tech companies also started trying to monitor and police this kind of underhanded meddling. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Chinese officials have similarly rejected the claim, arguing that the United States has no authority to police global manufacturing by unilaterally imposing penalties on trading partners for surplus production. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
  1. law
  2. constabulary
  3. control
  4. operate
  5. regulate
  6. conduct
  7. govern
  8. manage
Noun
  • The justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Compared with federal law and that of other states, New York has uncommonly strong protections for defendants facing multiple prosecutions — though they are not guaranteed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Several British constabularies have added EVs to their fleets for urban policing duties, often using models such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf and the BMW i3.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The local constabulary said the British Transport Police was leading the investigation.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of constabulary
Verb
  • The Ravens did that, committing only three penalties for 25 yards (the Eagles had 10 for 96), limiting their mistakes and controlling the line of scrimmage.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Sprays to control Asian psyllids are needed, along with minor nutrient and traditional fertilizer applications.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • This strategic partnership with Miral involves Disney licensing its IP and providing oversight, while Miral funds, builds, and operates the park, paying royalties.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Inspectors now have less of a presence in the orchards, which are located in isolated hills where armed groups operate with little interference, and concentrate on packing plants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • According to some studies, its combination of protein and calcium may help regulate blood sugar levels.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2026
  • GLP-1s work by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.
    — Jessica Starr, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • The bureau conducts its own investigation each time an agent fires a weapon.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Sakkas conducted research in the 1990s that looked at the DNA of sperm from men with fertility problems and found little breaks in the molecules’ structure.
    — Sarah Elizabeth Richards, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • The continent has the world’s youngest population, but several countries are still led by aging leaders whose political careers began decades ago, including former liberation figures now governing in a different era.
    — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The proposals slated to be heard at Tuesday’s San Jose City Council meeting are part of a four-year review of Envision San José 2040 — the city’s long-term blueprint governing land use, housing and growth first approved in 2011.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of govern
Verb
  • Shielded from the elements and stocked with comforting amenities, this hotel manages to feel like part of the national park.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Leeds United’s goalkeeper does not manage his social media accounts but his friends have kept him informed of the feverish reaction to his arrival.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of manage

Phrases Containing police

Browse Nearby Words

polestars
police
police action
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on police

Nglish: Translation of police for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All