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
Others spoke of police chokeholds and the grainy footage that showed officers striking King with batons. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Novi Sad was the scene of clashes with police and Vucic’s supporters on several occasions during protests. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Although the federal government prefers to let OpenAI police itself, the company made commitments to California and Delaware state attorneys general when seeking to restructure so that the company could solicit more funds, Calvin told NBC News. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 But the apps’ creators and proponents argued the apps were simply a way for users to avoid contact with law enforcement and bore little difference in how Apple and Google maps let users alert others to police speed traps. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 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
  • There is a precedent — this idea is an extension of one that is already law.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement Some may hesitate to perform CPR because of legal concerns over causing injury—like rib fractures—while administering CPR, but every state has Good Samaritan laws providing protections to people who render emergency aid in good faith.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 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
  • The question confronting Israel and its international partners is not simply whether money should flow into Gaza, but also who controls it—and whether the next arrangement will avoid the failures of the last.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Virginia did a good job controlling SMU for long stretches, but a few big plays negated all that.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of control
Verb
  • The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The team’s last-second win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was organized and operated by the NFL, part of the league’s more standard rotation of all teams playing overseas.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • In response, Logan said his office is focused on conducting a fair and secure election while noting that Election Day is a mere 18 days away.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • That answer is unlikely to satisfy many Democratic primary voters, according to a poll of six early primary states conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of conduct
Verb
  • For years, the NCAA has urged Congress to pass federal legislation that would curb lawsuits challenging its rules, which govern hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The unrest is emerging as the biggest threat ​to Rama, who has governed since 2013 and won a fourth term in elections last year.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of govern
Verb
  • For younger consumers who have always managed much of their lives through apps, these experiences often feel like different versions of the same activity.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Separate nozzles also don't solve the problems of bonding incompatible materials or managing different printing temperatures.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of manage

Phrases Containing police

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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