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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 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

The school's governing body has claimed teachers were "not aware that a strip search was taking place".

From BBC • Apr. 20, 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