police state

noun

1. a nation in which the police, especially a secret police, summarily suppresses any social, economic, or political act that conflicts with governmental policy.

police state

noun

1. a state or country in which a repressive government maintains control through the police

police state

1. A nation whose rulers maintain order and obedience by the threat of police or military force; one with a brutal, arbitrary government.

Word History and Origins

Origin of police state¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Trump’s language is designed to fracture the civic contract, pit citizens against each other, create the conditions for civil war, and pave the way for a society ruled by fear and a police state.

From Salon

“This campus has essentially become a police state,” Elisa Pabon, the postdoctoral unit chair for the union, said gesturing to uniformed security guards standing nearby.

From Los Angeles Times

“With To Lam’s ascent to the presidency, Vietnam is now a literal police state,” said Swanton, adding that the Vietnamese ruling Politburo was now dominated by current and former security officials.

From Seattle Times

“It’s about the crackdown on free speech on campuses but it’s also about campuses becoming police states.”

From Seattle Times

He wrote the book on how to turn a modern country into a repressive autocracy without becoming a full-fledged police state.

From Salon