false arrest

noun

: an arrest not justifiable under law

Examples of false arrest in a Sentence

He's suing the police for false arrest.
Recent Examples on the Web Among the eight counts listed are false arrest, excessive force and assault and battery. Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 31 May 2024 According to the complaint, Tanner told his ex the group effectively controls the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station and that its members allegedly intimidate other deputies, make false arrests and frame people. Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024 The program also teaches students about the potential for A.I. bias — like faulty facial recognition systems that have led to the false arrests of Black men. Natasha Singer Thalia Juarez, New York Times, 15 May 2024 The civil rights lawsuit was filed in 2021 and alleged false arrest, unreasonable seizure and malicious prosecution. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2024 The federal suit set forth 11 claims, including unlawful detention, excessive force, inadequate training, false arrest or imprisonment and negligence. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2024 Thacker is accused of excessive force and intentional battery, Gaddis is accused of false arrest and malicious prosecution and the city is accused of negligent supervision and training, among other counts, according to the lawsuit. Eric Levenson, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 The suit filed Wednesday in federal court in Mississippi alleges excessive force, intentional infliction of emotional distress, failure to train and supervise, false arrest and malicious prosecution. Antonio Planas, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 Benedict is suing the officers on several counts, including false arrest, excessive force, defamation of character and invasion of privacy. Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'false arrest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of false arrest was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near false arrest

Cite this Entry

“False arrest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/false%20arrest. Accessed 5 Jun. 2024.

Legal Definition

false arrest

see arrest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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