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
Read in English Post The Trump administration’s rapid escalation of a trade war with China has forced many companies to rethink their dependence on Chinese goods and access to the Chinese market—and face the prospect that the world’s two largest economies might be breaking up. —Thomas Stackpole, Harvard Business Review, 24 Apr. 2025 Such environments can force the plane downward, disrupt its ability to climb, or reduce lift on the wings, according to aviation experts. —Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
Brendan McDermid | Reuters A key force at the center of the stock market’s massive two-day rally is the frantic behavior of short sellers covering their losses. —Yun Li, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 YouTube has evolved into not a mere tech operation, but a formidable force in television. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
  1. compel
  2. violate
  3. pressure
  4. power
  5. impact
  6. violence
  7. police
  8. supply
Verb
  • Ambitious goals compel the team to think differently, encouraging boldness, innovation and smarter risk-taking.
    — Ryan Brinkhurst, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration is now compelled to restore the budget.
    — Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of compel
Verb
  • Immigrant rights advocates argued the administration violated a court order by flying four Venezuelans from Guantanamo to El Salvador.
    — Nate Raymond, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Under these laws, city officials who violate them do not face consequences.
    — Jennifer J. Lee, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025
Definition of violate
Noun
  • Under public pressure, the Norwegian parliament reacted remarkably fast, closing major areas to all fishing after just nine months of deliberation.
    — Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
  • In the 1920s, New Bedford’s textile industry collapsed under the pressure of newer, even lower wage competitors in the American South.
    — Made by History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Hugo saw that something as simple as shoes could be solved with the right approach and insights, cementing his belief in the power of technology to solve real-world problems.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Earlier this month, it was revealed that Massive Entertainment's ambitious action-adventure game would be coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, which speaks well about the raw graphical power of Nintendo's new hybrid console.
    — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • If the Trump administration continues to spar with the nation’s top research universities, Walt said there will be longterm impacts on not only his lab, but at research facilities across the nation.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The North Star Award is, NATPE said, for leaders who have had a bar-raising impact.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of impact
Noun
  • Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of violence
Noun
  • Police helicopters whirled overhead, part of the massive security operation Italian authorities mounted, including more than 2,500 police, 1,500 soldiers and a torpedo ship off the coast, Italian media reported.
    — Nicole Winfield and Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Putin so police in Italy — which is one of the 125 ICC member states — would have be forced to detain him.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of police
Noun
  • Free stickers are also available at participating locations, while supplies last.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The cups are available for a limited time while supplies last.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of supply

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 3 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on force

Nglish: Translation of force for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about force

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