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Showing results for police action. Search instead for routine actions.
Synonyms

police action

American  

noun

  1. a relatively localized military action undertaken by regular armed forces, without a formal declaration of war, against guerrillas, insurgents, or other forces held to be violating international peace and order.

Etymology

Origin of police action

First recorded in 1880–85

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.

Hehir, who is originally from County Limerick and now lives in Wembley, was later released and told he would not face further police action.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "As a result of the judgement, the individuals in question will face no further police action."

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

A spokesperson said: "No injuries were reported. No complaint was made, and suitable advice was given. No further police action is required."

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025

It would require the largest police action in American history, wipe out millions of jobs, cost hundreds of billions of dollars, and destabilize the economy.

From Slate • Oct. 24, 2024

Let me describe this stereotyped situation: A crime wave is sweeping a city and citizens are clamoring for police action.

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

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.