1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
forced payment of membership dues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unwilling
not made or done willingly or by choice
participation in the program was forced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the public outcry from the scandal forced the mayor to resign road construction forced them to take an alternate route
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violated
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
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 forced
James Coffin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
The Connecticut State Police’s Tactical Team was requested to assist and made forced entry into the residence.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Salah, the café owner in Cairo’s middle-class neighborhood of Sayeda Zeinab, said he was forced to cut his 35-member workforce by 40%.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forced
Adjective
The Ten Commandments are about God having taken the initiative to rescue the Hebrew people from forced servitude.
—James Coffin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
The Connecticut State Police’s Tactical Team was requested to assist and made forced entry into the residence.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Even when patients have transportation and resources, many are forced into tough decisions.
—Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Salah, the café owner in Cairo’s middle-class neighborhood of Sayeda Zeinab, said he was forced to cut his 35-member workforce by 40%.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forced
Adjective
-
The school's practices allowed people to get massage therapy licenses without finishing the required training, according to TDLR.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Nassau County executive, who has no serious opposition in the GOP primary for governor, was denied funding by the state Campaign Finance Board by a 4-3 party line vote because his running mate failed to file required paperwork.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Caissie was a late addition to Friday's lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Caissie was a late addition to Friday’s lineup after first baseman Chris Morel was scratched because of a strained oblique.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Both remind me of Ray’s leads, who sense that they’re being thwarted or not meeting expectations, but seem unable or unwilling to resolve anything.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Mueller repeatedly referred questioners back to the text of his report, apparently unwilling—or unable—to add any words of his own.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Discussions were had at those meetings, and every single thing that has happened has been compelled by council action.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Your position urging Broward County to choose resiliency over regret reflected exactly why so many residents felt compelled to speak up.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In other words, Raskin alleges someone at the DOJ may have violated a court order, a possible contempt issue.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Friedman sided with The Times earlier this month, ruling that the Pentagon's new credential policy violated journalists' constitutional rights to free speech and due process.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the trial judge, not the jury, will rule on any compulsory changes for Meta at the trial’s second stage in May.—
Peter Weber,
TheWeek,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In his new mock draft, Miller has the Bills picking up a key weapon.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In addition to the original trunk and items on display, the Center for Sacramento History and the history museum created a mock trunk inspired by the original for school programs throughout the region.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Singh, however, argued that Jones was not coerced but fearful of the consequences.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Our university’s institutional review board approved our procedures, making sure Chris was safe and not coerced in any way.—
David Hu,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forced. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
