name Uncommon

Gestapo

geh-STAH-poh

Gestapo (name) means the secret state police of Nazi Germany, notorious for surveillance, terror, and persecution. Example: “The Gestapo arrested anyone suspected of resisting the regime.”

name

The secret state police of Nazi Germany, notorious for surveillance, terror, and persecution.

"The Gestapo arrested anyone suspected of resisting the regime."

Any harshly oppressive or intrusive group or organisation (used figuratively and often as an exaggeration).

"He complained that the new office rules felt like something out of the Gestapo."

How to use Gestapo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNazi Germany's secret police, or (loosely and often hyperbolically) any harshly controlling authority.

When to use it

Using it figuratively for everyday rules or petty enforcement can come across as tasteless given its historical weight.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “Gestapo” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ arrested anyone suspected of resisting the regime.

Etymology

A German contraction of Geheime Staatspolizei, meaning "secret state police."

Origin: German

Rhymes for Gestapo

apo capo guapo chapo

See all rhymes for Gestapo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Gestapo” mean?

The word “Gestapo” means the secret state police of Nazi Germany, notorious for surveillance, terror, and persecution. In plain terms, nazi Germany's secret police, or (loosely and often hyperbolically) any harshly controlling authority.

How do you pronounce “Gestapo”?

“Gestapo” is pronounced geh-STAH-poh (/ɡɛˈstɑpoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “Gestapo” in a sentence?

Here is “Gestapo” used in a sentence: “The Gestapo arrested anyone suspected of resisting the regime.”

What part of speech is “Gestapo”?

“Gestapo” is a name.

Where does the word “Gestapo” come from?

The word “Gestapo” comes from German. A German contraction of Geheime Staatspolizei, meaning "secret state police.".

Is “Gestapo” a common word?

“Gestapo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Gestapo” have?

“Gestapo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the secret state police of Nazi Germany, notorious for surveillance, terror, and persecution.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Gestapo:

Words with German origins