force

¹force

noun \ˈfȯrs\

Definition of FORCE

1

a (1) : strength or energy exerted or brought to bear : cause of motion or change : active power <the forces of nature> <the motivating force in her life> (2) capitalized —used with a number to indicate the strength of the wind according to the Beaufort scale <a Force 10 hurricane> b : moral or mental strength c : capacity to persuade or convince <the force of the argument>

2

a : military strength b (1) : a body (as of troops or ships) assigned to a military purpose (2) plural : the whole military strength (as of a nation) c : a body of persons or things available for a particular end <a labor force> <the missile force> d : an individual or group having the power of effective action <join forces to prevent violence> <a force in politics> e often capitalized : police force —usually used with the

3

: violence, compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person or thing

4

a : an agency or influence that if applied to a free body results chiefly in an acceleration of the body and sometimes in elastic deformation and other effects b : any of the natural influences (as electromagnetism, gravity, the strong force, and the weak force) that exist especially between particles and determine the structure of the universe

5

: the quality of conveying impressions intensely in writing or speech <stated the objectives with force>

— force·less \-ləs\ adjective

— in force

1

: in great numbers <picnickers were out in force>

2

: valid, operative <the ban remains in force>

Examples of FORCE

1. The front of the car took the full force of the collision.
2. instruments used to measure the force of the wind
3. The police were accused of using excessive force when they made the arrest.
4. We discourage the use of force.
5. He used brute force to open the door.
6. I was impressed by the force of her personality.

Origin of FORCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fortia, from Latin fortis strong

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FORCE

Synonyms: help, labor force, manpower, personnel, pool, staff, workforce

Antonyms: impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness

Related Words: labor, proletariat, rank and file; band, company, crew, gang, outfit, party, squad, team; employee (also employe), helper, hireling, worker; blood; support

Near Antonyms: agreement, approval, consent, permission; convincing, persuasion, reason, suasion

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at power

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

Rhymes with FORCE

coarse, corse, course, gorse, hoarse, horse, Morse, Norse, source