Definition

Noun: A public notice issued by a law enforcement agency, typically featuring a photograph and description of a person, to announce that this individual is sought for questioning or arrest in connection with a crime.

Usage

A "wanted poster" is a specific type of official communication used by authorities to enlist public help in locating a suspect. It is commonly posted in public places like post offices, police stations, and community boards.

Examples

• The sheriff nailed a wanted poster for the bank robber to the saloon door.
• Her picture was on a wanted poster at every train station in the state.
• The detective studied the wanted poster, memorizing the suspect's distinguishing features.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metaphorically to describe any prominent public search or identification of a person, often in a humorous or critical context.
  • After the prank, his face might as well have been on a wanted poster in the principal's office.

Variants and Related Words

• Wanted notice: A more formal term for a similar official announcement.
• Most Wanted List: A list, often maintained by agencies like the FBI, of the most sought-after criminal suspects.

Synonyms

• Notice
• Bulletin
• Alert

Related Phrases

• To have a price on one's head: An idiom meaning a reward is offered for one's capture, often associated with the concept of a wanted poster.
  • The outlaw knew he had a price on his head after the wanted posters were circulated.

Noun

1. a public announcement by a law enforcement agency that they desire to question or arrest some person