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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.


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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a search that involves stripping a person naked

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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 police power that is as intrusive and traumatic for children as a strip search must be treated with the utmost care and responsibility,” said Commissioner Rachel de Souza, who published the report Monday.

From Washington Post Aug. 9, 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

It added three police constables had been served with notices last year advising them they were under investigation for misconduct, "over their roles in either carrying out the strip search or involvement in supervising it".

From BBC Mar. 17, 2022

“They have other officers who can conduct and observe the strip search, but they made a choice they didn’t have to make, which says a lot about their attitudes toward incarcerated people.”

From Washington Times Sep. 27, 2021

Dame Rachel asked all police forces to provide strip-search data after the Child Q scandal came to light in March last year.

From BBC Mar. 26, 2023

“No one should be subject to strip-search on the basis of race or ethnicity and safeguards exist to prevent this.”

From Seattle Times Mar. 26, 2023

The London police force said it has made changes such as raising the level of approval necessary before an officer initiates such a strip-search and launching a review of its policy for searching minors.

From Washington Post Aug. 9, 2022

“A police power that is as intrusive and traumatic for children as a strip-search must be treated with the utmost care and responsibility,” she said, calling the report’s findings “deeply concerning.”

From New York Times Aug. 8, 2022

“If you get changed out of your strip-search clothes, we can walk on the beach before dinner,” she said.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith

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