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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 There is not a lot of emphasis on factual claims, press releases, forceful statements. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2025 Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, standing behind Hagel, took exception and gave Hagel a forceful cross-check in the back, sending him lunging forward and drawing both teams into a fracas in the corner of the ice. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 The prose in this quiet, forceful epic exemplifies Kincaid’s trademark sharpness. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025 The field gained steam when Chris Bright withdrew to endorse Anthony DiLorenzo, a prominent and forceful Portsmouth businessman and noted UNH donor who is seriously considering a run. Kristin Tate, Boston Herald, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
Adjective
  • Department stores still have to make a compelling case for consumers to come back.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
  • North Carolina is renowned for its music, creativity, and breathtaking mountain views, but its large-scale artworks offer another compelling reason to visit the state.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s the kind of chance that last season, a more aggressive-looking Stolarz would have used his frame — and frankly, his big-game presence — to turn away with ease.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The agency has also faced criticism for aggressive tactics used by ICE agents in executing the president’s immigration policy.
    Andy Rose 19 hr ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Flash flooding currents are strong and can sweep drivers off roadways.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2025
  • But despite strong technical progress, widespread adoption remains challenging due to cost, infrastructure demands, and limited technological maturity.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The death of former Vice President Dick Cheney earlier this week has evoked divisive reflections across the United States toward one of Washington's most influential figures of the century.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Political contacts In the late-1990s and 2000s, while Itera was reporting billions in annual revenue, the company cultivated relationships with influential politicians.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • There was a top 10 team that lost, but BYU was a 10-point underdog at Texas Tech, so the Red Raiders’ convincing win wasn’t technically all that surprising.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Probably convincing-ish-ly American.
    Lily Osler, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Even the climax of the film, when Bella confronts Edward about his vampire identity in the misty Washington forest, loses its dramatic edge thanks to Edward's emphatic rebuke of his predatory nature.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Lamar Jackson made an emphatic return to NFL action on Thursday Night Football, throwing four touchdown passes to lead his Baltimore Ravens to a 28-6 win over the Miami Dolphins.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • After months of vigorous growth, regular watering has leached out any soil nutrients that were not absorbed by plant roots.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Our system was built to encourage vigorous give-and-take and to move final decisions toward the middle.
    The Detroit News Editorial Board, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • By now, it’s well established that dialogues with chatbots sometimes fuel dangerous delusions, in part because LLMs can feel so authoritative despite their limitations.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
  • And, in a pact similar to the one CNN has entered, CNBC struck a deal with Cisco in 2010 that showed how the technology company’s TelePresence networking equipment helped the news outlet bring authoritative sources to the screen.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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