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
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
Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Some monks who were once forced off the island put a curse on it and everyone who ever took anything away from it.
—Sara Stridsberg
september 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
For almost a century, the Jenkins Music Company was a major force in the music retail industry.
—Sarah Biegelsen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force
Verb
The deadline to pass the legislation forced action on bills to regulate artificial intelligence, reign in immigration enforcement and require housing near transit.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Some monks who were once forced off the island put a curse on it and everyone who ever took anything away from it.
—Sara Stridsberg
september 15, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
After launching in Europe, the Peel It Back Tour hit the States in early August, treating fans in Oakland, California, to a mix of hits and deep cuts that continue to define their legacy as a seminal force in industrial rock.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
For almost a century, the Jenkins Music Company was a major force in the music retail industry.
—Sarah Biegelsen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
-
Yet these productions are increasingly designed around an ethos of visual-over-depth that compels us to immediately document and post each scene.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
One way lawsuits can generate this pressure is through the discovery process, which compels companies to turn over internal documents, and could shed insight into what executives knew about safety risks or marketing harms.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country's prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country's air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.—
Will Gretsky,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In a 21-page ruling, Talwani found that ICE holding an 18-year-old migrant arrested on charges of shoplifting without a bond hearing violated his due process rights.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For now, Salm said, NATO nations do not have the radar equipment, anti-air weapons or manpower to ensure full anti-drone coverage of their territories.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Moscow has devoted considerable resources, manpower, and political will to its invasion of the country next door.—
Jeremy Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
By the time the impeachment trial commenced, the top-down pressure from prominent, national Republicans could be seen and felt.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
His game plan was to move forward, pressure Volkanovski and land with power.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As demand for electricity surged to power more electric devices in homes and Big Tech's boom in data centers, renewable energy has been the go-to source for the cheapest, fastest way to generate more juice.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, global demand for data center capacity could more than triple by 2030, requiring upgrades in power, cooling, and connectivity.—
Maurice Obeid,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Element Human, which uses behavioral AI to measure creative effectiveness, analyzed a recent Jake collaboration with creator Daniel LaBelle.—
Jamie Gutfreund,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Injection wells could also help reduce Arizona’s carbon footprint through carbon capture, though some scientists question that technology’s effectiveness.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
More generally, the Nepalese public criticized the government’s measures disproportionate impact on ordinary users.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The psychological impact of this shift cannot be overstated.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Kirk's killing, and its aftermath, have stoked deep divisions across the country at a time when political violence was already on the rise.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Hate speech that crosses the line into threats of violence is NOT protected by the First Amendment.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share