1
as in to compel
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
a cruel tyrant who disbanded the parliament and ruled by force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in power
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
got through the college board exams by sheer force of will
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
surely you were influenced by the force of his arguments?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the officer threatened to resort to force if the suspect did not surrender
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of force
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
The thought of doubling down now on what many consider nothing more than a corporate welfare giveaway to force more ethanol into the mix makes little sense in this environment.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the head of the office, noted that despite security advances in certain areas of downtown Port-au-Prince, where security forces have intensified operations since December, the violence by armed groups remains a daily and unbearable reality for many Haitians.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for force
Verb
After racing across the state to collect signatures, that campaign, called People Not Politicians, last year turned in more than 300,000 signatures to force a statewide vote on the map in November.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
The thought of doubling down now on what many consider nothing more than a corporate welfare giveaway to force more ethanol into the mix makes little sense in this environment.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
The cutthroat nature of WNBA roster transactions forces players to learn different team styles and playbooks on the fly.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the head of the office, noted that despite security advances in certain areas of downtown Port-au-Prince, where security forces have intensified operations since December, the violence by armed groups remains a daily and unbearable reality for many Haitians.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
-
The mystery of what living in a perpetual state of kayfabe must feel like is much of what compels me to keep up with the family’s content.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
Authorities are now seeking to compel them to appear for questioning with the threat of criminal charges.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In April, the group of 19 camps in Texas filed a lawsuit saying the requirement to install fiber optic internet does not make their properties safer, violates the state Constitution and laws regarding property rights, and could prevent them from opening.—
STEPHEN SIMPSON The Texas Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2026
-
Critics say the commission lacks religious and ideological diversity, violates federal law requiring balanced viewpoints, and threatens long-standing constitutional church-state protections.—
Peter Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Consistent use of bylines began during the Civil War when Union General Joseph Hooker became enraged over a story that included information about the manpower and location of his Army of the Potomac.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The lengthening deployments come as Ukrainian commanders in other units have warned of personnel issues, acknowledging that the army will never match the manpower of Russia’s far larger military force.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Indian market opportunity, however, comes with the pressure to pivot strategy based on consumer preferences.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
Later, the Moon squares Mars in Aries, which can create pressure to move faster than necessary.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Bedside power outlets and ceiling fans add to the convenience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
The Avs finally got on the board via their second power-play chance on a Nathan MacKinnon goal that had an Artturi Lehkonen vibe to it.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
While Jaquez did not provide the eye-popping scoring of some of her teammates, the wing brought a cool effectiveness to the defensive side of the ball while tallying a pair of assists and a handful of deflections.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
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The United States and Israel pounded Iran with devastating effectiveness for 37 days, killing much of the country’s leadership and destroying the bulk of its military, yet couldn’t collapse the regime or exact even the smallest concession from it.—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Anunoby’s early exit came hours after Brown lauded his impact.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
-
Once again charming viewers with his native Australian accent, the actor remains effortlessly entertaining while using his charisma to neutralize caustic dialogue that would flatten a less likable performer on impact.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Throughout his coaching career, Kerr has used his platform to speak out against gun violence and social injustice, among other prominent issues.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Throughout his coaching career, Kerr has used his platform to speak out against gun violence and social injustice among other prominent issues.—
Janie McCauley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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