force 1 of 2

Definition of forcenext
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
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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
The Gophers’ rash of injuries forced them to finish the season with a six-man rotation. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026 At the end of May, Weiss forced out executive producer Tanya Simon; several other top producers; and two correspondents, Cecilia Vega and Sharyn Alfonsi. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Noun
Such capital forces founders to test quickly whether actual customers will pay good prices for a real product. Rory McDonald, Fortune, 6 June 2026 That an invasion force was being trained was widely known, but its landing spot was the great mystery. Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • Like others, Nikki Halsey learned of the event via Instagram and felt compelled to give it a try.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
  • Richard Dreyfuss stars as an Indiana electric lineman/dad who gets discombobulated after a light from a passing UFO compels him to do weirdo things — like build a mountain replica inside of his home.
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • So Daniel’s book violated those rules, and Louis’ actions within the book did, too.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2026
  • The lawsuit says such approval violated National Park Service regulations prohibiting sporting events on federal parklands, Congress did not consent to the towering arch overlooking the event space and no environmental review was conducted before the construction.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • The Navy sees these vessels as a potential way to increase fleet size without the enormous cost and manpower requirements associated with traditional warships.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 June 2026
  • The Ukrainian approach is born of a manpower crisis, where a smaller population has been ravaged by a devastating toll from four years of Russian invasion.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Noun
  • Beyond their immediate impact, experts say such attacks are part of a broader Russian strategy to sow fear among ordinary people and increase public pressure on Ukraine’s leaders to end the war.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • The rush for the exits by investors is reigniting anxiety over pressures in the global private markets industry.
    Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Federal officials this year sent water from the upstream Flaming Gorge Reservoir to Lake Powell to stave off an emergency where water levels in the lower reservoir fall so low that water no longer flows through the dam’s power turbines — the only safe way to release water for extended periods.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
  • That still left a lot of the two-time league champion’s star power exposed to be plucked by the four new teams looking to fill rosters.
    Tom Carothers, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • This emphasis on user-friendly effectiveness is immediately apparent in CyberFOX’s simple setup approach.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 8 June 2026
  • Ervin recommends placing these about eight feet apart for maximum effectiveness.
    Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • There have been ongoing concerns about its impact on gentrification on the South Side, and the location itself was in dispute as well.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Wembanyama, one of the marquee stars of this series, was his usual disruptive presence in the paint defensively but struggled to make a larger impact elsewhere.
    Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Nearly half of American women have suffered some form of intimate-partner violence.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
  • From Saint-Marc to Thailand to Miami to Ecuador Born and raised in Saint-Marc, a port city now grappling with escalating gang violence, Adé plays center back for LDU Quito in Ecuador.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

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