Gestapo

American  

[guh-stah-poh, guh-shtah-poh] / gəˈstɑ poʊ, gəˈʃtɑ poʊ /

noun

1. the German state secret police during the Nazi regime, organized in 1933 and notorious for its brutal methods and operations.

---

adjective

1. (sometimes lowercase) of or resembling the Nazi Gestapo, especially in the brutal suppression of opposition.

   The new regime is using gestapo tactics.

Gestapo British  

/ ɡɛˈstɑːpəʊ, ɡeˈʃtaːpo /

noun

1. the secret state police in Nazi Germany, noted for its brutal methods of interrogation

---

Gestapo Cultural  

1. The secret police of the Third Reich in Germany. The Gestapo operated against Germans suspected of treason by using brutal interrogation and torture; they instilled widespread fear by their terrorist methods.

---

Discover More

Figuratively, any brutal secret police organization may be called a “gestapo.”

“Gestapo tactics” in general are intimidating official procedures.

Etymology

Origin of Gestapo

< German Ge ( heime ) Sta ( ats ) po ( lizei )

Example Sentences

Reckzeh had been set up as a spy and agent provocateur by the Gestapo: Thadden had been fooled by his elaborately constructed cover story.

From The Wall Street Journal

Among the evidence Antony's investigation has unearthed is a list made by the Gestapo, detailing specific artefacts and paintings which were seized from his relatives.

From BBC

Eric Roberts, known as Jack King, had posed as a Gestapo agent, to find and work with Nazi sympathisers in Britain.

From BBC

Mabel Wulff from Newport lived in Nazi Germany - surviving years of Gestapo harassment and bravely fighting fires caused by falling bombs.

From BBC

In May 1942 her network was infiltrated by the Nazis and soon Gestapo officers were in hot pursuit.

From BBC