Gestapo - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
The Gestapo was the secret police force of Nazi Germany, known for its brutal methods of suppressing opposition and enforcing Nazi policies through surveillance, arrests, and terror.
Definition:
The secret police of Nazi Germany, notorious for brutal repression and terror tactics.
Synonyms:
secret police, security force, political police
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
resistance fighters, liberators
Common Collocations:
Gestapo agents, Gestapo tactics, Gestapo headquarters
Derivatives:
Gestapo-like, Gestapist
Usage Tips:
Use "Gestapo" historically to refer to Nazi Germany's secret police; avoid casual comparisons to modern entities.
Common Phrases:
feared by all, ruthless efficiency, shadow of the Gestapo
Etymology:
From German "Geheime Staatspolizei," meaning "Secret State Police."
Examples:
- 1. The Gestapo arrested thousands during World War II.
- 2. Many feared the Gestapo's brutal interrogation methods.
- 3. The Gestapo operated with ruthless efficiency across Europe.
- 4. Resistance fighters often evaded the Gestapo's surveillance networks.
- 5. Historians study the Gestapo's role in Nazi oppression.