forceful

adjective

force·​ful ˈfȯrs-fəl How to pronounce forceful (audio)
: possessing or filled with force : effective
a forceful argument
forcefulness noun

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
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.
There won’t be seismic expectations attached to the forceful runner with an enticing one-cut burst. Ben Standig, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 Tatum also bullied his way through Magic guard Cole Anthony on a first-quarter layup and leaped to his feet instantly after being knocked to the floor by a Caldwell-Pope foul (a less forceful version of the takedown that caused Tatum’s injury in Game 1). Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2025 To answer your question, a lot of people were relieved to see this forceful approach. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2025 The government's most forceful request is for Judge Mehta to order the tech company to sell off its popular Chrome browser. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forceful

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forceful was in 1571

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Cite this Entry

“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forceful. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

forceful

adjective
force·​ful ˈfōrs-fəl How to pronounce forceful (audio)
ˈfȯrs-
: having or done with much force : vigorous
a forceful speech
forcefully adverb
forcefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on forceful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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