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
Trump has previously federalized the city's police department and has deployed thousands of National Guard troops for the past 14 months across Washington, with plans to keep them in place until his term ends in 2029. — Irit Skulnik, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 In June 2007 the Portuguese police chief reported that forensic clues were potentially destroyed because the crime scene was not properly secured. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 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
  • Betsy Smith, the head of the Central Park Conservancy, the nonprofit which operates the park, cheered the passage of the bill.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Such facilities successfully operate today, prioritizing community leadership, transparency, compensation and quiet all at once.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of operate
Verb
  • An architect’s struggle with Nevada’s state licensing board raises a broader question about how to regulate industry.
    — Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The group says it’s shaped several must-haves by taking lessons from Washington’s failure to regulate social media.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of regulate
Verb
  • Kyiv has accused Russian forces of mining nearby roads and using the remaining residents as human shields to prevent Ukraine’s army from conducting offensive operations in the town.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Planning Commissioner Chris Salley asked if the city would conduct a fiscal impact study on each project where these incentives were offered and how would the city decide which project to subsidize.
    — Marc Hayot, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on police

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about police

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