Law & Crime/Political ⚖️👩‍⚖️

Pass a law

Congress will vote on whether to _______ a new enviromental ____

It takes time for a bill to _____ __ ___

The city council decided to _____ __ ___ banning smoking in public parks

Definition: To officially approve a new rule or regulation, usually a legislative body

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Fine

He had to pay a large _____ for speeding

The court can _____ you for contempt

Parking _____(s) are a common source of revenue for the city

Synonyms: Penalty, sanction, levy; Penalize, charge, exact

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Pickpocket

Be careful of ____________(s) in the busy market

He was caught trying to ______________ a tourist

The police arrested a notorious ______________ gang

Definition: A person who steals things from people’s pockets

Formality: Neutral ⚪

Plead

She _________(ed) with him to change his mind

The defendant decided to ________ guilty

He _______(ed) for forgiveness from his family

Definition: To make an emotional appeal; to present and argue for (a position), especially in court

Synonyms: Appeal, beg, entreat

Formality: Formal 🔵

Tailing

The detective spent weeks ________ the suspect's movements.

* He realized someone was ________ his car.

* The newspaper has been ________ the politician for months, looking for a scoop.

* Synonyms: Following, tracking, shadowing

* Definition: To follow and observe (someone) closely, especially in secret.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Riot

The police were called to control the ________ outside the stadium.

* A small protest quickly escalated into a full-blown ________.

* The city experienced several nights of civil ________.

* Synonyms: Uprising, disturbance, unrest

* Definition: A violent disturbance of the peace by a crowd.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Ambush

The soldiers set up an ________ for the enemy convoy.

* They tried to ________ him outside his home.

* The reporters staged an ________ interview, catching him off guard.

* Synonyms: Trap, surprise attack, snare

* Definition: (Noun) A surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position. (Verb) To make a surprise attack on (someone) from a concealed position.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Raid

The police conducted a dawn ________ on the suspected drug den.

* Vikings often went on overseas ________ to plunder villages.

* My kids like to ________ the refrigerator for snacks.

* Synonyms: Attack, incursion, swoop (informal)

* Definition: (Noun) A sudden assault or attack on an enemy or target; a sudden visit by police or other officials to search for and seize illegal goods or to arrest suspected criminals. (Verb) To conduct a raid on.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Busting

The police are actively ________ drug dealers in the area.

* We were ________ out of boredom, looking for something to do.

* She's been ________ her butt to finish this project on time.

* Synonyms: Raiding, breaking (something), working hard (informal)

* Definition: (Informal, present participle of bust) Raiding or arresting; (Informal) to break something; to work very hard.

* Formality: 🔴 Informal

Parole

The prisoner was granted ________ after serving half of his sentence.

* He violated his ________ conditions and was sent back to prison.

* She hopes to be eligible for ________ next year.

* Synonyms: Conditional release, probation, liberty (on terms)

* Definition: The release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Hit-and-run

The driver of the ________ vehicle escaped the scene.

* Police are investigating a ________ accident that occurred last night.

* It was a cowardly ________ attack.

* Synonyms: Fleeing the scene, leaving an accident, cowardly act

* Definition: (Of a motor vehicle accident) involving a driver who does not stop after the accident.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Underhanded

She won the competition through some ________ tactics.

* His dismissal was a result of an ________ plot by his rivals.

* I don't trust his methods; they seem quite ________.

* Synonyms: Deceptive, sneaky, surreptitious

* Definition: Acting or done in a secret or dishonest way.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Coup

The military staged a sudden ________ and seized power.

* It was a diplomatic ________ when they secured the unexpected alliance.

* The chess player executed a brilliant ________ to win the game.

* Synonyms: Takeover, revolution, triumph (figurative)

* Definition: (Noun) A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government; a notably successful stroke or move.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Reviled

The politician was widely ________ for his controversial policies.

* He became a much-publicized figure, both praised and ________.

* The traitor was ________ by his former comrades.

* Synonyms: Scorned, denounced, hated

* Definition: (Past tense of revile) Criticized in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

County

The capital of the ________ is Springfield.

* We drove through several rural ________ on our road trip.

* The local ________ council makes decisions about public services.

* Synonyms: Shire (British), district, parish

* Definition: A territorial division of some countries, forming the chief unit of local administration.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Abscond

Examples:

* The thief tried to ________ with the stolen jewels.

* He decided to ________ from the country to avoid arrest.

* The employee was accused of trying to ________ with company funds.

* Synonyms: Flee, escape, decamp

* Definition: To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Acquittal

Examples:

* The jury delivered a verdict of ________ due to insufficient evidence.

* His lawyer worked tirelessly to secure his client's ________.

* The recent ________ sparked a public debate about justice.

* Synonyms: Exoneration, discharge, declaration of innocence

* Definition: A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Admonish

Examples:

* The teacher had to ________ the students for their disruptive behavior.

* He was ________ by his superior for being late.

* She gently ________ him not to make the same mistake again.

* Synonyms: Reprimand, rebuke, caution

* Definition: To warn or reprimand someone firmly; to advise or urge (someone) earnestly.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Allotment

Examples:

* Each family received a small ________ of land for gardening.

* The company's budget included an ________ for employee training.

* They carefully managed their monthly ________ of food supplies.

* Synonyms: Allocation, share, portion

* Definition: The action of allotting something; a share or portion of something.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Bail

Examples:

* The judge set ________ at $10,000 for the defendant.

* He was released on ________ pending his trial.

* The family struggled to raise the money for his ________.

* Synonyms: Surety, bond, guarantee

* Definition: The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (legal context)

Bribe

Examples:

* He tried to ________ the official to get the permit faster.

* Offering a ________ is illegal and unethical.

* They discovered a complex scheme involving a large sum of ________ money.

* Synonyms: Corrupt (verb), payoff (noun), inducement

* Definition: (Noun) A sum of money or something valuable offered or given to someone to persuade them to do something dishonest. (Verb) To persuade (someone) to act in one's favor, typically illegally or dishonestly, by a gift of money or other inducement.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (often in legal/crime context)

Breach

Examples:

* The company was sued for ________ of contract.

* They managed to find a ________ in the enemy's defenses.

* His actions constituted a serious ________ of trust.

* Synonyms: Violation, rupture, gap (noun), break, violate (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct; a gap in a wall, barrier, or defense. (Verb) To break a law, agreement, or promise.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Cabal

Examples:

* A secret ________ was plotting against the government.

* They accused a powerful ________ of manipulating the market.

* The historical novel depicted a small ________ of conspirators.

* Synonyms: Clique, faction, conspiracy

* Definition: A secret political clique or faction.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (often with negative connotation)

Captivity

Examples:

* The animal was rescued from a life of ________.

* He spent years in lonely ________ after being captured.

* The zoo aims to replicate the animals' natural habitat, reducing the stress of ________.

* Synonyms: Imprisonment, confinement, bondage

* Definition: The state of being imprisoned or confined.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Carnage

Examples:

* The battlefield was a scene of utter ________.

* The car accident resulted in terrible ________ on the highway.

* The film depicted the brutal ________ of war.

* Synonyms: Slaughter, massacre, bloodshed

* Definition: The killing of a large number of people or animals.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (often used for shocking events)

Cavalry

Examples:

* The general ordered the ________ to charge the enemy lines.

* Historically, ________ played a crucial role in warfare.

* The arrival of the police felt like the ________ coming to the rescue.

* Synonyms: Horsemen, mounted troops, rescuers (figurative)

* Definition: Soldiers who fought on horseback; (informal) people who arrive to help in a difficult situation.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Cede

Examples:

* The country agreed to ________ the disputed territory.

* He decided to ________ control of the company to his younger brother.

* The losing team had to ________ the championship title.

* Synonyms: Surrender, relinquish, yield

* Definition: To give up (power or territory).

* Formality: 🔵 Formal

Chokehold

Examples:

* The police officer used a ________ to subdue the suspect.

* The country had a political ________ on its smaller neighbors.

* He applied a submission ________ in the wrestling match.

* Synonyms: Headlock, stranglehold, control (figurative)

* Definition: A grip around an opponent's neck that impedes their breathing or blood circulation; (figurative) a state of complete control or dominance.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (literal), 🔵 Formal (figurative)

Framed

Examples:

* The police believed he was innocent and had been ________.

* The picture was beautifully ________ in gold.

* He felt like he was being ________ for a crime he didn't commit.

* Synonyms: Incriminated (falsely), set up (informal), mounted (in frame)

* Definition: (Past participle of frame) (Informal) To produce false evidence or testimony against (an innocent person) so that they appear guilty; (of a picture) placed in a frame.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (for pictures), 🔴 Informal (for falsely incriminated)

Forgery

Examples:

* He was arrested for ________ after passing a fake check.

* The museum discovered that the painting was a clever ________.

* ________ of legal documents carries a severe penalty.

* Synonyms: Counterfeit, fake, fraud

* Definition: The action of producing a fraudulent imitation of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art; a forged or copied item.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (often in legal/crime context)

Grassroots

Examples:

* The campaign focused on building ________ support in local communities.

* It was a true ________ movement, led by ordinary citizens.

* The political party relies heavily on its ________ organizers.

* Synonyms: Popular, fundamental, local, basic (origin)

* Definition: The ordinary people regarded as the main body of an organization or the electorate; (adjective) of or by the ordinary people; fundamental.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Impeach

Examples:

* The House of Representatives voted to ________ the president.

* There was not enough evidence to ________ the witness's testimony.

* He was threatened with ________ment proceedings.

* Synonyms: Charge, indict, challenge (legally)

* Definition: To charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct; to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice).

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (legal/political)

Inmate

Examples:

* The prison ________s spent most of their time in their cells.

* She volunteered to teach literacy classes to the hospital ________s.

* An escaped ________ was apprehended quickly.

* Synonyms: Prisoner, resident (of an institution)

* Definition: A person confined to an institution such as a prison or mental hospital.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Larceny

Examples:

* He was charged with grand ________ for stealing the expensive car.

* Petty ________ involves the theft of items of low value.

* The police investigated the recent string of ________ crimes.

* Synonyms: Theft, stealing, pilfering

* Definition: Theft of personal property.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (legal term)

Kleptomania

Examples:

* She was diagnosed with ________ and sought professional help.

* ________ is a compulsive urge to steal, often without a need for the stolen items.

* Her shoplifting was attributed to her struggle with ________.

* Synonyms: Compulsive stealing, theft disorder

* Definition: A recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (medical/psychological term)

Libel

Examples:

* The newspaper was sued for ________ after publishing false accusations.

* Printing defamatory statements can lead to charges of ________.

* He threatened to sue for ________ if they didn't retract the story.

* Synonyms: Defamation (written), calumny, slander (spoken)

* Definition: A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation.

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (legal term)

Loophole

Examples:

* They found a legal ________ that allowed them to avoid paying the tax.

* The criminal exploited a ________ in the system to escape punishment.

* Lawyers are often skilled at finding ________s in contracts.

* Synonyms: Evasion, technicality, ambiguity, flaw

* Definition: An ambiguity or inadequacy in a rule or law, which allows someone to avoid its intent.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Loot

Examples:

* The invading army plundered the city and carried off much ________.

* Rioters began to ________ the shops after the protest turned violent.

* The pirates divided their ________ among themselves.

* Synonyms: Plunder, spoils, booty (noun), pillage, raid (verb)

* Definition: (Noun) Goods, especially valuables, obtained illegally or by force; (Verb) To steal goods from (a place), typically during a war or riot.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral

Manslaughter

Examples:

* He was charged with ________ after accidentally killing a pedestrian.

* The jury returned a verdict of ________ rather than murder.

* The legal definition of ________ varies by jurisdiction.

* Synonyms: Unlawful killing, homicide (non-premeditated)

* Definition: The unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought (i.e., without premeditation or intent to kill).

* Formality: 🔵 Formal (legal term)

Mobster

Examples:

* The movie depicted the life of a notorious 1930s ________.

* He was a feared ________ with connections to organized crime.

* The police arrested several suspected ________s in the raid.

* Synonyms: Gangster, racketeer, mafioso (informal)

* Definition: A member of an organized crime gang, especially the Mafia.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral (informal term for gangster)

Mutinity

Examples:

* The crew staged a ________ against the tyrannical captain.

* The soldiers threatened ________ if their demands were not met.

* (Figurative) There was a small ________ among the staff over the new rules.

* Synonyms: Rebellion, revolt, insurrection, uprising

* Definition: An open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.

* Formality: ⚪ Neutral