1
as in compelling
having the power to persuade
made a very forceful argument against going to war
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt "no"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty
took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue
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4
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others
a forceful speaker whose words moved the audience to tears
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forceful
The drug reduces the forceful heart muscle contractions linked to the condition, Cytokinetics said.
—
Bhanvi Satija, Reuters, 30 Aug. 2025
Other Western leaders were more forceful in their criticism.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
Since 2023, Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal have faced forceful Chinese actions, including collisions and water-cannon blasts.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Trump, meanwhile, used the Alaska meeting to free himself from domestic pressure to impose harsh sanctions on Russian oil or to take other forceful measures.
—Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Bhanvi Satija, Reuters, 30 Aug. 2025
Other Western leaders were more forceful in their criticism.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2025
Since 2023, Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal have faced forceful Chinese actions, including collisions and water-cannon blasts.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Trump, meanwhile, used the Alaska meeting to free himself from domestic pressure to impose harsh sanctions on Russian oil or to take other forceful measures.
—Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
Adjective
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The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has been active since 2010, compelling more than 8,000 facilities and suppliers in the United States to report their climate pollution every year, and uses the data to help shape rules to reduce the amount of pollution in the air.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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For a daily driver, the third-generation Leaf is rather compelling, especially the S+, although the lack of heated front seats in that model might be too much of a deal-breaker, considering how important seat heaters are to EV efficiency in winter.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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The occurrences grew more aggressive over time, with the Smurls' 75-pound German shepherd getting slammed into a wall and Jack getting attacked while praying.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The VMAs have long recognized the work of standout talent whose artistry has made an influential cultural impact over the past year, shifting the global cultural narrative while shaping the landscape of the music industry.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
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That gives Bruni Tedeschi, Marcello and his co-writers Letizia Russo and Guido Silei a lot of freedom to mold this influential giant of the 19th century stage during a transitional period toward the end of her life.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Moreno said Echevarría’s lawyers failed to provide convincing evidence that Expedia Group facilitated the bookings and that the holding company could not be held liable for the actions of its subsidiary.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Their good cop-bad cop ploy doesn’t seem to be particularly convincing or even fear-inspiring to the suspects of the congregation.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Driven by her smooth and emphatic playing, Spinal Tap comes close to losing its special lumpy Tap groove, its farcical Deep Purple mega-thump, and begins to sound disconcertingly like a proper band.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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This fall, the trend toward emphatic celebration of Black creative achievement continues as The Gantt will immerse visitors in a rich tapestry of artistic expression and cultural reflection through three exhibitions.—
Amy Carleton,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, this doesn’t mean that someone with strong justice cannot be angry or vigorous about addressing injustices.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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And some blue states have been more vigorous about gerrymandering.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In June, more than 20 authoritative organizations, including the National Medical Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed serious concerns for the health impacts of overhauling the advisory committee.—
Jordan Miller,
The Conversation,
5 Sep. 2025
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In a time of noise and distraction, his quiet yet authoritative voice continues to show the way.—
Andrea Onate,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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