force 1 of 2

1
2
as in to violate
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

force

2 of 2

noun

1
as in manpower
a body of persons at work or available for work the entire force of the shipyard will be needed to get this government order done on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
5
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect expressed the full force of her frustration with her son for his reckless behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

6
7
8
as in supply
the number of individuals or amount of something available at any given time the great debate during the Cold War was whether the nation's missile force was adequate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word force different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of force are coerce, compel, constrain, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

In what contexts can coerce take the place of force?

The meanings of coerce and force largely overlap; however, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for force?

While in some cases nearly identical to force, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When is it sensible to use constrain instead of force?

While the synonyms constrain and force are close in meaning, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

When could oblige be used to replace force?

The words oblige and force are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

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 force
Verb
These bottlenecks often force teams to work around their limitations or abandon the AI altogether. Rebecca Jones, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 But hold on… Ed Oliver just forced a fumble. Coy Wire, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Schools, churches, small shops that survived the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed over 300,000 are now a pile of rubble, part of the apocalyptic landscape left behind by the retreating forces that control almost all of Haiti’s capital. Johnny Fils-Aimé, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025 Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces shot down 69 Ukrainian drones overnight. David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • The women throwing their support behind a petition from Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie and California Democrat Ro Khanna to compel a vote to release the Epstein files.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The power of Ed and Lorraine Warren compels you — to buy a movie ticket!
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, a Minnesota court struck down the binary trigger ban, arguing that the legislature violated the state constitution’s single-subject clause by burying the ban inside a sprawling spending bill.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025
  • And Congress is unlikely to grant him new tariff powers after the courts just ruled that doing so unilaterally violated the separation of powers.
    Brett Erickson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • His fellow firefighters, including Gallagher —who was injured during the rescue — used extra manpower and tools to free him before he was stabilized at the scene and flown by CareFlite to the hospital, the department said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • More than three years into what Putin once thought would be a quick takeover of his much smaller and weaker neighbor, Russia would be unable to sustain the fight without Chinese and Indian money, Iranian weapons and, to a lesser extent, manpower from North Korea.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The decision comes following months of mass deportations and pressure to close Alligator Alcatraz, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility located in the Florida Everglades.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Europe is battling its own demons, including a surge in far-right nationalism and economic pressures.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • He's been incredible with the Mets, and his power is almost impossible to replace.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The rallies aimed to demonstrate the power of the working class in cities including Boston, Chicago, Detroit and New York.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Davis said that the center has been around for 50 years speaks to its effectiveness in helping people achieve their goals.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The money would provide for beginning mechanical removal of the algae mass in the most problematic areas and setting up test areas for the effectiveness of algicides, Miller said.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Still, her impact is undeniable.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Elsewhere, impacts were reported in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk and Odesa regions.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Others would be afraid to return to Mexico or Central America because of the violence in their native countries.
    Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Watkin is just one out of the thousands of Hoosier educators who have suffered injuries due to student violence.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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