force 1 of 2

verb

Definition of forcenext
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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

ˈfȯrs How to pronounce force (audio)
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade surely you were influenced by the force of his arguments?

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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

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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
as in police
a body of officers of the law the police detective retired after 23 years on the force

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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
Investigators were combing through debris scattered across a field in northwest Oregon Thursday after two helicopters collided midair, killing three people and forcing the closure of a nearby highway, officials said. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 Carolina forced a turnover on the opening kickoff, getting a fumble recovery, but only got a field goal out of it. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
Scientists found three forces that help to explain why different versions of GameXPeptide exist. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026 Between the two forces—the political power of the White House and the technological power of Silicon Valley—which has more influence? — Nina Verdelli, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
  1. compel
  2. violate
  3. manpower
  4. pressure
  5. power
  6. effectiveness
  7. impact
  8. violence
Verb
  • The entity then asked the court to compel the city to disclose them, and Marshall agreed to do so last month.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The decision does not resolve whether Harvard discriminated or whether it can be compelled to provide applicant-level data on race, grades, test scores and admissions.
    — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of compel
Verb
  • Among them, Carter found that the request violates federal law precluding altering of election rules on the eve of an election.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The lawsuit argues the change violates the Administrative Procedure Act because it was adopted without explanation and the First Amendment, which protects lawyers' ability to advise people of their legal rights and seek prospective clients.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of violate
Noun
  • This could reduce the time and manpower required to search large areas manually, particularly as Chinese military aircraft and vessels operate more frequently around Taiwan.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • If Memphis isn't one of them, the city will have to try to maintain its momentum on public safety without extra manpower.
    — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of manpower
Noun
  • Fernández acknowledged that better spacing, cutting and preparation were needed against Detroit’s pressure.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Floridians are facing real financial pressures, and government should always be expected to operate efficiently.
    — Gilbert Miller, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Jean Gilles Bernard Camille, a community organizer who lives in a gang stronghold in the capital, said foreign forces have repeatedly underestimated the capacity and power of Haitian gangs and their ability to adapt.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Georgy Tikhomirov, a nuclear physicist at Russia’s MEPhI university, said there is still too little operating experience to assess the actual cost of the electricity and power produced.
    — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of power
Noun
  • Defeat effectiveness exceeded approximately 75 to 80 percent, while operator observations indicated the system was even more effective at preventing hostile UAS from successfully completing their missions.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Wauconda got good pressure on Gialo from its front four in the first meeting and a repeat would help limit his effectiveness.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of effectiveness
Noun
  • The sanctions, however, are unlikely to have a major impact on Rwanda, argued Dizolele, though Kigali will be cognizant of the impact on its image in the eyes of the West.
    — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Cultivating future scientists While museums may be viewed simply as sites for school field trips or family outings, their impact extends far beyond entertainment.
    — Lili Mei Granda Argianas, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of impact
Noun
  • Washington founded the Woodland Strong Initiative, which aims to expand access to behavioral health services, violence prevention programs and workforce training for local youth.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Critics have pointed to studies showing harm to student outcomes and an increase in gun violence around vacant buildings.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of violence

Phrases Containing force

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forborne
force
forced
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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on force

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about force

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