plural forces
1
: physical strength, power, or effect
The front of the car took the full force of the collision.
instruments used to measure the force of the wind
2
: power or violence used on a person or thing
The police were accused of using excessive force when they made the arrest.
We discourage the use of force.
a show of force
He used brute force to open the door.
He took the purse from her by force. [=he used physical power to take her purse]
He feels that this conflict can only be resolved by force of arms. [=by using weapons; by military action]
3
: strength or power that is not physical
I was impressed by the force of her personality.
lending force to his arguments [=making his arguments more effective/persuasive]
These regulations do not have the force of law. [=they do not have the power that laws have]
She succeeded by/through sheer force of will. [=because she was so determined to succeed]
Through/By force of circumstance(s) [=because of conditions that cannot be controlled], the company has had to lay off several hundred workers.
Even after he retired, he still woke up early every day by/from force of habit. [=he woke up early every day because he was in the habit of doing so]
4
technical
: a natural power or effect that is able to change the speed or direction of something
the force of gravity
gravitational/electromagnetic forces
5
: something (such as rain or wind) that occurs in nature and that can be very powerful
—usually plural
The cliff was gradually eroded by the forces of nature.
natural forces
—sometimes used figurativelyShe gets people to do whatever she wants: she's a force of nature. [=she's a very powerful person who cannot be easily controlled]
6
a
: a group of soldiers trained to fight in a war
a force of 20,000 soldiers
He belonged to an elite fighting force.
The enemy forces had us surrounded.
ground forces
allied/rebel forces
b
: a group of people who do a particular job or are available for a particular purpose
our country's labor/work force
The company has a very large sales force.
security forces
c
informal
: police force
After graduating from high school, he joined the Force.
d
British
: armed forces
Will the new defense policy weaken the forces?
7
: a person or group that has the power to do something or make something happen
The organization has been a strong force for good. [=has done a lot of good things]
He has been the driving/motivating force behind these changes. [=he has been the person who has caused these changes to occur]
He has become a force to be reckoned with [=a person who has power and influence] in politics.
8
—used to describe the strength of a wind
damage caused by a force 9 gale
The house was flattened by hurricane-force winds.
Storm-force winds [=very strong winds] are expected tonight.
9
baseball
: force-out
a force at second base
forces; forced; forcing
1
: to make (someone) do something that he or she does not want to do
They forced us to work long hours without pay.
He was forced to resign from office. = He was forced out of office.
I really have to force myself [=to make a great effort] to get up and go to work these days.
2
a
: to make it necessary for (someone) to do something
The flooding forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes.
After seeing the evidence, I was forced to admit my error.
I am forced to conclude that more funding will be necessary.
The pilot was forced to land when one of the plane's engines caught fire.
b
: to make (something) necessary
The scandal forced his resignation.
Lack of time may eventually force a compromise.
c
: to cause the occurrence of (something that other people do not want to happen)
They are trying to force a vote on this issue.
3
a
: to move (someone or something) by physical effort
The runner was forced out of bounds.
Their car was forced off the road.
After hours of fighting, they were able to force back the enemy.
The pressure forces the water to the surface.
A pump forces air into the chamber.
The medicine tasted awful, but I managed to force it down. [=to swallow it by making an effort]
If the key doesn't fit the lock, don't force it. [=don't use too much physical strength to make the key go into the lock]
b
: to cause (something) to open by using physical effort or violence
They forced (open) the door.
It was clear that the door/lock had been forced.
4
: to produce (something, such as a smile) by making an effort
She forced a smile.
5
baseball
: to cause (a runner) to be put out by means of a force-out
He was forced (out) at second base.
Cite this Entry
“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/force. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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