as in lie detector
an instrument for detecting physical signs of the tension that goes with lying
intelligence agents were trained to fool the polygraph
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Recent Examples of polygraph
Perez said Friday that the polygraph exam has been a long-standing part of the city’s hiring process and while there have been occasional calls from stakeholders to do away with the polygraph, the commission plans to keep the requirement in place.
—
Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2024
Over a year later, George Anthony and Cindy Anthony took polygraph tests about their involvement in their granddaughter's death in an A&E and Lifetime special.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Nonetheless, the staffer was investigated, asked to take a polygraph and was told the agency intends to revoke her clearance.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Workers within various agencies under the DHS umbrella have been asked to take a polygraph test, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygraph
Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 20 Dec. 2024
Over a year later, George Anthony and Cindy Anthony took polygraph tests about their involvement in their granddaughter's death in an A&E and Lifetime special.
—Kelsie Gibson, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Nonetheless, the staffer was investigated, asked to take a polygraph and was told the agency intends to revoke her clearance.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
Workers within various agencies under the DHS umbrella have been asked to take a polygraph test, NBC News reported on Saturday, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygraph
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polygraph
lie detector
Noun
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While Doc Odd measures her pulse, Angela Bassett uses it like a lie detector and subjects her to questioning.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2025
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Popularly known as lie detector tests, polygraphs monitor bodily responses such as blood pressure, changes in a person’s breathing, and sweating on the palms.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polygraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polygraph. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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