1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
forced payment of membership dues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unwilling
not made or done willingly or by choice
participation in the program was forced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in compelled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violated
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forced
Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Making music on my own, the harmonica holder and the harmonica was a way of accompanying myself that didn’t feel forced.
—Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
The state reported damage in 52 communities in October, and the impacts forced hundreds of residents to sleep in gymnasiums and on classroom floors in rural public schools.
—Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forced
Adjective
Human rights groups, citing concerns over forced confessions, have condemned a wave of hundreds of arrests and warned that the government is using the June conflict as a pretext to escalate repression.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Making music on my own, the harmonica holder and the harmonica was a way of accompanying myself that didn’t feel forced.
—Zach Schonfeld, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
The early years meant dealing with discrimination that forced them to shift their client base to Black communities, building churches and HBCUs when white clients wouldn’t hire them.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Nov. 2025
The state reported damage in 52 communities in October, and the impacts forced hundreds of residents to sleep in gymnasiums and on classroom floors in rural public schools.
—Emily Schwing, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forced
Adjective
-
This summer, Wyoming’s Game and Fish Commission passed regulations that designated some sections fly-only and required anglers to pinch their barbs.—
Christine Peterson,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The Chamber argues that the fee was imposed without congressional approval or required rulemaking, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The data center explosion has created boom towns across the US, but strained grids and increased housing prices and energy costs.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Judge has been working to rebuild her strained relationship with Sidney for years.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The government had been unable - or unwilling - to fix it.—
NPR,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In the rare case where someone is unwilling to seek help and a danger to themselves or others, the law enforcement officer is authorized to take someone to the hospital to be assessed against their will.—
Eva Wen,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was extradited to Pennsylvania for questioning and when he was compelled to testify before a grand jury, Schrader invoked his Fifth Amendment right when asked about Carol Ann Dougherty's murder.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Parks' arrest, however, compelled her to want to do more.—
Time,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and law firm Covington & Burlington LLP sued on behalf of seven trans and nonbinary individuals saying that the move violated their First Amendment rights.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
6 Nov. 2025
-
In 1872, Campbell represented a group of white New Orleans butchers who claimed that efforts by Louisiana’s Reconstruction legislature to regulate their industry violated their Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Rustin’s next-door neighbor thought they should be sent directly from school to compulsory work gangs.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Obomsawin’s score accompanies Julian Brave NoiseCat’s and Emily Kassie’s documentary investigating the history of abuse at Indian residential schools in Canada, a system that became compulsory in 1894.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
What really makes the dress stand out is its chic details, which includes a structured seam around the waist, gold-tone decorative buttons, and a mock neckline.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Detectives even allegedly coerced Rosie into signing a document implicating Frank Jordano and his father, Iorlando Jordano.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
This is the real danger for the NBA—players who get coerced into trying to rig games.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forced. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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