in force

phrase

1

: in great numbers

picnickers were out in force

2

: valid, operative

the ban remains in force

Examples of in force in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby, the streets are plastered with campaign signs and volunteers are out electioneering in force. — Lia Lapidot Aaron Boxerman and Lia Lapidot, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Typhoon Champi is threatening the port recovery that eastern China had only just started to record, with ferry suspensions and maritime emergency responses already in force across Shanghai and the Fujian and Zhejiang provinces Friday. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

The ban remains in force, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a further appeal early next month. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Those restrictions would be part of the deed and would remain in force for 40 years. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for in force

• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce
• indorse
• midcourse
• outsource
• perforce
• racehorse
• remorse
• seahorse
• workforce