force 1 of 2

1
2
as in to violate
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent was accused of forcing a woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

force

2 of 2

noun

1
as in manpower
a body of persons at work or available for work the entire force of the shipyard will be needed to get this government order done on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect expressed the full force of her frustration with her son for his reckless behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
as in supply
the number of individuals or amount of something available at any given time the great debate during the Cold War was whether the nation's missile force was adequate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word force different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of force are coerce, compel, constrain, and oblige. While all these words 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

In what contexts can coerce take the place of force?

The meanings of coerce and force largely overlap; however, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for force?

While in some cases nearly identical to force, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When is it sensible to use constrain instead of force?

While the synonyms constrain and force are close in meaning, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

When could oblige be used to replace force?

The words oblige and force are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of force
Verb
The Rams’ new All-Pro receiver hadn’t found his rhythm with Stafford, and their connection in the red zone was specifically forced and spotty. Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 And then the occasional strip club that I was forced to go to. Frank Digiacomo, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
The militants have seized large amounts of weaponry from government forces and demonstrated their ability to use drones, says the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), which analyzes terrorist groups. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025 But much like his counterpart, Dominguez got Pages to ground into a force out at home. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • Illinois has joined other states in suing the federal government to compel the continuation of SNAP payments during the shutdown, arguing that state programs can't fill the gap on their own.
    Olivianna Calmes, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Democrats continue to withhold their votes on government funding, trying to compel Republicans to negotiate with them on health care.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In August 2024, the Hales Corners Library Board voted unanimously to keep the books in the library's circulation and concluded Lewis-Lane and library staff did not violate library policies.
    Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • But Comey's attorneys raised separate concerns that by using those materials at all, the government may have violated Comey's rights -- not just by reviewing potentially privileged information, but also by revisiting evidence obtained by warrants that would now be considered stale.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Despite these figures, analysts say Venezuela’s operational capacity may be as low as one-third of its total manpower.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Reuters But the group will have little trouble reconstituting its manpower, Eiland said, and security officials believe Hamas has been recruiting new fighters throughout the war even under fire.
    Matt Bradley, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hold for 30-60 seconds, focusing on keeping pressure in the midfoot and the knee aligned with your toes.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 31 Oct. 2025
  • There's certainly already a lot of pressure on the series adaptation.
    Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Satire is brilliant for exposing the folly of humans, especially those in power and those working in bad faith—the hypocrites and the frauds—and can be particularly potent when set in irrational or dystopic times.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The software, called VenApp, was originally launched by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2022 as a hybrid application, integrating a messaging service with a helpline for people to report issues with utility services, such as power outages and water disruptions.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Naysayers on both sides attack, question Newsom's effectiveness Newsom's White House ambitions remain just that, for now.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Worthington said the rhetoric by Republicans in Pennsylvania is helpful, but limited in its effectiveness.
    Will McDuffie, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Experts bemoan the loneliness epidemic and its impact on youth, mental health, longevity, and chronic pain.
    Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The texts emerged as Republicans have sought to link Democrats’ rhetoric to acts of political violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
    Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Jones faced calls from Republicans to drop out of the race in October after Jones' recent texting scandal, in which he was revealed to have called for violence against a Republican lawmaker.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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