force 1 of 2

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
7
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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
In 2003, state funding cuts forced closures of a Chattanooga lab and the original lab in Jackson, leaving a lab in Memphis to handle all of West Tennessee. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Sep. 2025 The pair are forced work together to solve a series of mysterious murders. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
Tropical Storm Imelda moved over the Bahamas on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds to the region as watches and warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Hurricane Center (NHC) remained in effect for parts of the Bahamas and the east coast of Florida. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025 These four forces are already affecting hiring pipelines, budgets, and boardroom strategy. Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • The hostility escalated to such a degree that the PGA of America was compelled to increase security around the group.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • In a statement shared with The Guardian, a spokesperson for Ferguson said the duchess felt compelled to send the email after Epstein allegedly threatened to sue her for defamation over her comments to the Standard.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since then Russia is suspected of testing NATO’s resolve by violating the airspace of Norway, Romania, Denmark, Lithuania, Estonia, and now Germany too.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Though Russian craft have repeatedly violated NATO airspace during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the shootdowns over Poland represented the first time NATO had shot down Russian drones.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Took a lot of work, a lot of manpower.
    Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers’ evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined, according to a press release.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Air pressure in the plane keeps them closed when the plane is cruising.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Blitzes aren’t getting home Through three games, the Dolphins have blitzed opposing quarterbacks more than any other team in the NFL, yet have the fewest amount of pressures.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His work with rural counties has earned favorable notices, but in urban areas like Phoenix, many of the experts in Joan's reporting raised questions about Livar's effectiveness.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His business background and financial ties have fueled questions about AO’s independence and its effectiveness as an advocacy group.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The crash left a deep impact on the agency, not just for the injured but for the OCFA crews who responded to the scene to help their own.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • During a three-day rampage of gang violence, some 80 people died — the deadliest days in El Salvador since its civil war.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • What Anderson ultimately does with Perfidia’s letter to her daughter serving as a testament, and invitation to Exodus, is emphasize that revolution and true freedom requires new solutions different from the acts of violence that defined her past.
    Richard Newby, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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