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

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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

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
Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a police department spokesperson, confirmed that as of Friday, Showalter was assigned to the patrol bureau. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 The woman was immediately sent home from work after Monday’s incident and not allowed to return, according to police. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026
Verb
In addition to undercutting the value of genuine products produced by brands, companies are unable to police the issue on their own. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 In reality, the president and the tech leaders signed a voluntary accord that allows the companies to police themselves. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 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
  • Florida law imposes limits on direct contributions to state candidates but generally allows political committees to accept unlimited contributions, subject to applicable reporting and other legal requirements.
    — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Twenty-seven states — including all where Republicans control both the legislature and governor’s office — already have such laws.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of law
Noun
  • Meanwhile, police forces across the country have transformed from lightly armed constabularies to small-scale armies.
    — Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of constabulary
Verb
  • In her latest book, Harvard historian Jill Lepore argues that Big Tech now controls the United States—and, by extension, the entire planet.
    — Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • He was angered when the team's controlling owner moved the team to Atlanta for the 1966 season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • But there are actual terrifying objects in space, entities operating on a scale that crush our minds and reduce our human experience to a mote of dust floating in the dark.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Military bases would need reliable fuel distribution, water treatment, secure communications, functioning maintenance systems and personnel capable of operating under emergency conditions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • Space companies are regulated primarily by the FCC, which governs technologies used by satellites.
    — Max Harden, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The controversy emphasized how California, where shelters are overflowing with animals, failed to regulate private rescue groups.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Community college officials said the company is conducting its own investigation.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • American officials told the Wall Street Journal that Washington had conducted similar attacks secretly in recent weeks.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • Infantino is seeking re-election next year as the head of soccer’s world governing body in the face of attempts to force him to stand down in the wake of the divisive plan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • There are other schools guided by religion – Notre Dame and Villanova are about to enjoy an audience with the Pope after playing in men’s and women’s basketball in Rome next month – but none is technically governed by its church.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of govern
Verb
  • Union Berlin managed to draw at Augsburg 1-1 after a player from each was sent off in separate incidents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The winner will gain one of five seats on the board that runs the highway district, which is responsible for building, managing and maintaining local roads and bridges countywide — as well as setting ACHD’s nearly $260 million annual budget.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of manage

Phrases Containing police

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polestars
police
police action
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Cite this Entry

“Police.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/police. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on police

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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