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
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The acronym is so reverse-engineered and forced.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
But another part of innovation, namely the spontaneous ideas that arise from creative moments and interactions, cannot be programmed or forced.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forced
Adjective
As for the enslavement of my African ancestors, who literally built the economic infrastructure of America with forced, free labor, from 1619 to 1865—246 years—this section of the American journey was reduced to mere paragraphs.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The acronym is so reverse-engineered and forced.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
The defense forced the biggest three-and-out of the game with the Bills trailing by two points with under two minutes remaining.
—Andrew Wright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
But another part of innovation, namely the spontaneous ideas that arise from creative moments and interactions, cannot be programmed or forced.
—Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forced
Adjective
-
Hurdles have included problems obtaining required permits from the city council, complaints from residents about noise and light pollution, reports of workers’ rights not being respected by local authorities, and suppliers going bankrupt.—
Pol Ballus,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Beyond reading the college’s brochures and website, Selingo encourages prospective students to ask current students how helpful the career offices are, what their advisors are like and how accessible required courses are.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Though the former couple remained close in the years after their separation, their relationship allegedly became strained when Simon stopped paying for their children’s school and medical fees following a change on his tax return.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
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In contrast to Bella’s strained relationship with Coverley, her bond with her father was effortless.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Investors may be unwilling to pay a higher multiple for UTHR, especially amid rising competitive pressures.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
But wooing Western partners would likely involve some compromises that these dictators are probably unwilling to make.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At some point in the near future, a government will likely be compelled to impose unpopular austerity measures and address the deficits in the pension system.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Inclusion in the index typically provides a structural advantage to stocks, as passive funds and ETFs that track the benchmark are compelled to purchase shares.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wake County schools violated policy when staff did not address the effects of bullying on Danielle, said an April 2024 letter from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.—
Fred Clasen-Kelly,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Argentina and other countries under Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) also have protections that may be violated by tariffs, Comprés said.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The audience demographics at these two SoCal shows was certainly interesting… a mixture of aspirational and actual Englishness, united in a tempory new world order marked by seemingly compulsory bucket hats.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The plan comes a decade after the government suspended compulsory duty and includes the possibility of reintroducing conscription if recruitment targets are not met, according to Reuters.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Whose idea was this, and what kinds of settler-colonial relations does this mock holdup invert?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Sweater My grandmother also purchased this 100 percent cashmere mock-neck sweater to have on hand in case the weather requires an extra layer.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Anyone with a relevant lead will connect the dots without feeling coerced.—
John Palinkas,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Abusers and traffickers are exploiting this lack of oversight—leaving women coerced, deceived, and sometimes poisoned.—
Christa Brown,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forced. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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