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• strip search
  strip search

  noun

  an act or instance of strip-searching.
• strip-search
  strip-search

  verb (used with object)

  to search (a suspect who has been required to remove all clothing) especially for concealed weapons, contraband, or evidence of drug abuse.

strip search

¹ American  

noun

1. an act or instance of strip-searching.

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strip-search ² American  

[strip-surch] / ˈstrɪpˌsɜrtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to search (a suspect who has been required to remove all clothing) especially for concealed weapons, contraband, or evidence of drug abuse.

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strip-search British  

verb

1. (tr) (of police, customs officials, etc) to strip (a prisoner or suspect) naked to search him or her for contraband, narcotics, etc

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noun

1. a search that involves stripping a person naked

Other Word Forms

• strip-searching
  noun

Example Sentences

According to reporting by Puck, it would have emphasized Michael’s “traumatizing” strip search, thus doubling down on a strategy that has worked so far: Making him the victim.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

A strip search involves the removal of anything more than an outer layer of clothing, including socks and shoes.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2023

London-based Palestinian actress Sonia Nasir clears security at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport more smoothly than she expected she would, with just one quick strip search.

From Washington Post • Apr. 4, 2023

Under regulations that require a witness to the procedure, transgender guard Isaac Buhle participated in the 2016 strip search of West as an observer.

From Washington Times • Sep. 26, 2022

“Forget the strip search for a minute, she’s not charged with that,” said Corey Chirafisi, Casper’s attorney.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022