Main Entry: ²force

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): forced; forc·ing

Date: 14th century

1 : to do violence to; especially : rape
2 : to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means
3 : to make or cause especially through natural or logical necessity <forced to admit my error> <the last minute goal forced overtime>
4 a : to press, drive, pass, or effect against resistance or inertia <force your way through> b : to impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably <force unwanted attentions on a coworker>
5 : to achieve or win by strength in struggle or violence: as a : to win one's way into <force a castle> <forced the mountain passes> b : to break open or through <force a lock>
6 a : to raise or accelerate to the utmost <forcing the pace> b : to produce only with unnatural or unwilling effort <forced a smile> c : to wrench, strain, or use (language) with marked unnaturalness and lack of ease
7 a : to hasten the rate of progress or growth of b : to bring (as plants) to maturity out of the normal season <forcing lilies for Easter>
8 : to induce (as a particular bid or play by another player) in a card game by some conventional act, play, bid, or response
9 a : to cause (a runner in baseball) to be put out on a force-out b : to cause (a run) to be scored in baseball by giving a base on balls when the bases are full

— forc·er noun

— force one's hand : to cause one to act precipitously : force one to reveal one's purpose or intention

synonyms force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield. force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress <forced to flee for their lives>. compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force <compelled to admit my mistake>. coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure <coerced into signing over the rights>. constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice <constrained by conscience>. oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty <felt obliged to go>.