forced

adjective

ˈfȯrst 

1

: compelled by force or necessity : involuntary

a forced landing

2

: done or produced with effort, exertion, or pressure

a forced laugh

forcedly

ˈfȯr-səd-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• compulsory
• imperative
• incumbent
• involuntary
• mandatory
• necessary
• nonelective
• obligatory
• peremptory
• required

Examples of forced in a Sentence

forced payment of membership dues

wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile

Recent Examples on the Web

Surtain also had four picks and a forced fumble, and completely turned around an early-season game against Las Vegas with a 100-yard pick-six. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 5 June 2025

Saddest of all was the forced sale of WorldPay, a payments processing business, to U.S. private equity firms Bain Capital and Advent International for just $3 billion in August 2010. —Ian King, CNBC, 4 June 2025

The Rebellion’s defense finished with 10 sacks and four forced fumbles. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025

Dodson ended the season with 109 tackles (36 in eight games with the Dolphins, and 71 in nine games with Seattle) 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forced

• forced labor
• forced perspective

Rhymes for forced

• divorced
• endorsed
• enforced
• indorsed
• outsourced
• unforced
• coursed
• gorst
• horsed
• horst
• sourced
• reenforced

Kids Definition

forced

adjective

ˈfō(ə)rst 

ˈfȯ(ə)rst

1

: caused or brought about by force or necessity : involuntary

made a forced landing

2

: done or produced with effort

a forced laugh