police state

noun

: a political unit characterized by repressive governmental control of political, economic, and social life usually by an arbitrary exercise of power by police and especially secret police in place of regular operation of administrative and judicial organs of the government according to publicly known legal procedures

Examples of police state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Although autocracies have long relied on various degrees of repression to support their objectives, the ease with which today’s authoritarian regimes can acquire this repressive capacity marks a significant departure from the police states of the past. Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 6 Feb. 2020 In much the same way that Americans have opted into government surveillance through the convenience of GPS devices and cell phones, digital cash—the means of paying with one’s debit card, credit card or cell phone—is becoming the de facto commerce of the American police state. Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 24 Sep. 2024 According to surveillance footage, Briggs allegedly removed the front window panel to enter the business and attempted, unsuccessfully, to access the safe before fleeing, police state in court documents. Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 19 Sep. 2024 Correspondent Ramy Inocencio talks with observers who describe Hong Kong today as a police state; and with American diplomat Gregory May, who discusses the effect the new laws have had on free expression. David Morgan, CBS News, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for police state 

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of police state was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near police state

Cite this Entry

“Police state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/police%20state. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

police state

noun
: a state in which the activities of the people are under the power of the government often acting through a secret police force
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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