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# use of force

phrase (noun phrase, «use of force», also «reasonable force», «excessive force»)

«use of force» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, official) violence used by police, soldiers or guards, such as hitting, restraining, using a gun.
2. (literal) using physical strength or pressure.

### In the lessons

Police reports, courts, governments and news use it to describe violence in calm, legal words, avoiding «hit», «beat» or «shoot». Common in the US, the UK and elsewhere. It can hide how harsh the violence was.

### Examples

- (news) The police officer's use of force is under investigation.
- (report) The use of force was "reasonable", the inquiry said.
- (protest) Marchers complained about excessive use of force.
- (government) Leaders debated the use of force against the rebels.
- (science, literal) Use of force on a lever makes lifting easier.
- (law) The law allows the use of force in self-defence.

### Note

Trap: in physics «force» is a push or pull (measured in newtons); in news «use of force» means violence by people in power. Ask what actually happened.