forceful

adjective

force·​ful ˈfȯrs-fəl 

: possessing or filled with force : effective

a forceful argument

forcefulness noun

Synonyms of forceful

• compelling
• convincing
• conclusive
• strong

Examples of forceful in a Sentence

He has a very forceful personality.

She's a confident and forceful leader.

They have made a forceful argument in favor of changing the system.

The government has threatened to use more forceful measures if necessary.

Recent Examples on the Web

Underwood and Shires shook the long, forceful handshake of bitter enemies. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Officials said the collision was forceful enough to push the unoccupied vehicle completely into the adjacent parking stall. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Andrew Raftery Two forceful exhibitions have shown how Indian artists and presses met the cultural upheaval of the nineteenth century with lithographic prints that rendered Hindu gods more approachable and helped to galvanize national identity. — The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026

Her official cause of death was blunt trauma, indicating some type of forceful impact. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forceful

• remorseful
• resourceful

Kids Definition

forceful

adjective

force·​ful ˈfōrs-fəl 

ˈfȯrs-

: having or done with much force : vigorous

a forceful speech

forcefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

forcefulness noun