police 1 of 2

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

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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

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
Fans got a glimpse at the duo's to-wear-or-not-to-wear banter on Instagram when the Padma's All American author attempted to police her offspring's low-rise jeans by finding any solution to keep them hung on her hips. Michelle Lee, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The teenager was able to provide specific identifying information to police about Mendez Esquivel himself and his vehicle, police said. Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Kehl went unit to unit checking for unlocked doors before happening upon the Ferrell’s condo on the 34th floor, police say. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Jamie Simpson of Covington was sentenced in March to 60 years in prison for holding his wife captive and torturing her for hours before barricading himself inside her home in a lengthy standoff with police. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for police
Recent Examples of Synonyms for police
Noun
  • The grants were allocated under President Joe Biden's signature Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, an anti-gun violence law signed after the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Aside from his signature 2021 criminal justice bill, Cooper signed legislation into law in 2020, allowing judges to reduce mandatory minimum sentences mandated by law for drug offenders.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The news went out last weekend that Cadillac had been accepted by the F1 constabulary as the sport’s eleventh team, slated to enter the competition in 2026.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
  • With Ida Engvoll as Rebecka, a Stockholm lawyer back in her small hometown after the death of a friend, and Eva Melander as Mella, chief inspector of the local constabulary, who appropriates her semi-formally to the force.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2023
Verb
  • After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Merino wool also has natural temperature-regulating and odor-controlling properties—both of which are ideal for hiking.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The changes affect libraries operated by Maricopa County and not cities that operate their own libraries, such as Phoenix.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To qualify for a portion of the county arts funding, organizations must be active 501(c)3 entities, located and operating in Milwaukee County, organized for the primary purpose of producing or presenting the arts, and open to the general public, according to the county's application terms.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers have found that curcumin—the primary compound found in turmeric—has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The Northern Sea Route is generally viewed as more developed and regulated, with Moscow investing heavily in infrastructure as part of a broader campaign to gain an upper hand in the Arctic.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Along the top of the fire, the crews continue working slowly parallel with, and sometimes on, the McKinley Grove Road, doing clearing vegetation by hand, applying pre-treatment, and conducting critical strategic firing operations to remove heavy vegetation in front of the active fire front.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • While more research needs to be conducted, a promising clinical study found that participants who took a specific soluble keratin supplement for three months strengthened and improved the appearance of their nails.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The allegiance transfer rulings were last changed by the sport’s governing body in 2018, when the minimum three-year waiting period (to compete internationally) was introduced.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • After the race was over, the governing body gave its ruling on the collision.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The watch proved successful after managing to catch a man littering hate flyers across the neighborhood.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He is known for his advocacy in advancing preventive healthcare models, with an emphasis on the role of lifestyle interventions in managing chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being.
    Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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