1
as in compels
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
2
as in violates
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
1
as in workforces
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 pressures
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 police
a body of officers of the law
the police detective retired after 23 years on the force
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in supplies
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 forces
Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But a few setbacks eventually have Kiki doubting her magical ability, until a time of crisis forces her into action and reveals her true strengths.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
If the injury forces him to miss any time in the regular season, their young wings would be pressed into more playing time.
—Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … SKY SCUFFLE – Passenger allegedly assaults Alaska Airlines crew members, forces emergency landing at Boise Airport.
—FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
She's stricken with a mysterious disease that forces her to be fed through a tube, and Linda goes to battle regularly with her doctors who are seemingly unable to help.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
In a state that already forces schools to hide social transitions from parents, the terrifying prospect of secret medical transition is hardly far-fetched.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
That discovery forces him to confront his own place in a world that often commodifies Black creativity while denying its depth.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
This natural variation is one of the most significant driving forces of large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually over North America.
—ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
The closure from state transportation officials highlights continued tensions between California’s Democratic leadership and the White House, especially in the wake of federal forces being deployed across the United States to cities like Los Angeles.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
From trade wars to cyber threats, these forces have moved from the margins to the center of strategic decision-making.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
In the best case, Hamas cooperates with the establishment of an alternative technocratic government supported by international policing forces.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
At the end of that spinoff, Billy joined forces with ghost Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) to find his brother.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
That’s when Section 35, which forces addicts into a civil commitment of up to 90 days, is the tool that’s now being used.
—Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
But a few setbacks eventually have Kiki doubting her magical ability, until a time of crisis forces her into action and reveals her true strengths.
—Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
If the injury forces him to miss any time in the regular season, their young wings would be pressed into more playing time.
—Jay King, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Continue reading … SKY SCUFFLE – Passenger allegedly assaults Alaska Airlines crew members, forces emergency landing at Boise Airport.
—FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
She's stricken with a mysterious disease that forces her to be fed through a tube, and Linda goes to battle regularly with her doctors who are seemingly unable to help.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
In a state that already forces schools to hide social transitions from parents, the terrifying prospect of secret medical transition is hardly far-fetched.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
That discovery forces him to confront his own place in a world that often commodifies Black creativity while denying its depth.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
The blackout at the power plant, occupied by Russian forces since the early days of the war, marked the tenth time the site lost connection to the grid since the military conflict began, according to the IAEA.
—Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
This natural variation is one of the most significant driving forces of large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually over North America.
—ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
The closure from state transportation officials highlights continued tensions between California’s Democratic leadership and the White House, especially in the wake of federal forces being deployed across the United States to cities like Los Angeles.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
From trade wars to cyber threats, these forces have moved from the margins to the center of strategic decision-making.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
In the best case, Hamas cooperates with the establishment of an alternative technocratic government supported by international policing forces.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
At the end of that spinoff, Billy joined forces with ghost Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) to find his brother.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forces
Verb
-
Economic change also compels extra rethinking.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
And for me, that is the fuel that compels this need to create a new era of truth and justice.—
Kurt Streeter,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The committee voted to ask Attorney General Josh Kaul to opine on whether grooming falls under the statute related to immoral conduct, which allows DPI to revoke a license if an educator violates it.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Critics, including legal scholars and lawmakers, argue the campaign violates international law by targeting civilians without due process.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The economic fallout from deportations is typically focused on the impact to industries with large unauthorized immigrant workforces, such as construction and agriculture.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, health systems across the country are reducing their workforces.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tennessee’s offensive line has allowed a combined 82 pressures, 46 hurries, and 15 QB hits through six games, per Pro Football Focus.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
With these pressures in mind, Rhodes turned to a state program to retire and restore more than 30 acres of older bogs.—
Chelsea Torres,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
First responders were called after Scholtes' wife arrived home three hours after Scholtes and found their daughter inside the vehicle, according to a police report.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
West Memphis police took over the pursuit with assistance from state troopers, the release says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Economists warn the incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including securing fuel supplies and building coalitions in a fragmented legislature.—
Reuters 3 min ago,
CNN Money,
20 Oct. 2025
-
So far, $24,926 Australian dollars has been raised out of a $28,000 goal on GoFundMe to help with funeral costs, as well as household bills, baby supplies and time off work for Nathan.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While China often threatens and coerces other countries, such as in disputes with South Korea and Australia, its actions are often triggered by events that China feels directly threaten its core interests.—
David C. Kang,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Compulsory heterosexuality is a theoretical framework coined by lesbian scholar Adrienne Rich in 1980 to describe how heterosexuality as an institution compels and coerces female sexuality for patriarchal purposes.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Lanier rapes Forsythe during a job interview, which O’Brien recounts in upsetting, unwavering detail.—
Jared Sullivan,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2024
-
Donald treats Ivana with similar contempt, and then rapes her.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
10 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forces. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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