1
as in compelling
having the power to persuade
made a very forceful argument against going to war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt "no"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty
took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others
a forceful speaker whose words moved the audience to tears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 forceful
Following Weinstein's forceful awards campaign for the film, The Piano won three Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Campion.
—
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Referees did not blow the whistle for a foul on the play, despite forceful objections from the Knicks bench.
—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Democrats have been even more forceful, arguing the appointment risks politicizing intelligence operations.
—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Miami needs all three to build a forceful defensive front.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Sharareh Drury,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
Referees did not blow the whistle for a foul on the play, despite forceful objections from the Knicks bench.
—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Democrats have been even more forceful, arguing the appointment risks politicizing intelligence operations.
—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
Miami needs all three to build a forceful defensive front.
—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
Adjective
-
Ellroy’s latest is another compelling entry in his ongoing project.
-
The Best Opportunities Look Worst Near Maximum Value Opportunity often feels least attractive when the valuation is most compelling.
Adjective
-
Grey-zone tactics refer to a range of aggressive tactics that vary from navy ship patrols to drone flights, but fall short of direct combat.
-
That will be decided in the coming hours, as the Heat remains in aggressive pursuit of a trade for Antetokounmpo.
Adjective
-
Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
-
Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
Adjective
-
The world's most influential creative institutions are beginning to recognize and showcase AI creators not as fringe, but as legitimate members of the creative community.
-
The Kentucky Republican is regarded as one of the most influential and consequential American politicians in modern history.
Adjective
-
During its convincing 3-0 win over Haiti, which followed a 1-1 draw with Morocco, Brazil lost one of its top forwards when Raphinha sustained a hamstring injury.
-
The Remi cover at the very end took a bit more convincing.
Adjective
-
Mozeliak didn’t rule himself out as the long-term answer at general manager and was emphatic about not speaking in absolutes.
-
Senegal secured third place in FIFA World Cup Group I with an emphatic 5-0 victory over the 10 men of Iraq — the biggest ever win for an African team at a World Cup.
Adjective
-
Levine Cava gave the golden-colored dog a vigorous pat on the head.
-
Leave as many green fronds on your palms as possible to keep them vigorous and healthy.
Adjective
-
Plot synopsis House of the Dragon attempts to condense and dramatize the conflicting accounts presented in Fire & Blood—stitched together from testimonies and court chronicles—into a single authoritative narrative.
-
They can be resolved through the application of authoritative expertise and through the organization’s current structures, procedures, and ways of doing things.
Cite this Entry
“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
