Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for police force. Search instead for Impulsive force.
Synonyms

police force

American  
[puh-lees fawrs] / pəˈlis ˌfɔrs /

noun

  1. Often the force or the Force the police, an organized civil force for enforcing laws.

Etymology

Origin of police force

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He represents two Dallas residents in the lawsuit who say they’ve been harmed by the city’s failure to grow its police force.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

She also said the police force does not need to grow from where it stands, arguing that more officers will not solve underlying safety issues.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Navy became the global maritime police force after World War II.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

Raman has said that she believes the police force is the right size at around 8,700 officers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

REELTOK: The mayor and his police force, who should be finding whoever's behind the swastikas instead of hassling an innocent blogger.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.