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
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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
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1
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
the forcefulness of his argument is indisputable
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2
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
delivered the punch line with appropriate forcefulness
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3
as in intensity
the quality or state of being forceful (as in expression)
her clenched teeth only added to the forcefulness of her words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forceful
Time, 21 May 2025
His competing agents will want and expect a speedy and forceful sanction.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Standing behind a lectern and speaking in a forceful tone, Richardson said in his experience carrying out reforms that roughly 20% of an organization will resist.
—Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Fares Fares is a forceful actor who dramatizes George’s movie-star vanity from the inside out.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Adjective
President Ronald Reagan, more forceful in his Cold War aims and, like Kissinger, wary of human rights considerations, still adhered to the State Department human rights reporting requirements.
—Time, 21 May 2025
His competing agents will want and expect a speedy and forceful sanction.
—Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Standing behind a lectern and speaking in a forceful tone, Richardson said in his experience carrying out reforms that roughly 20% of an organization will resist.
—Leah Douglas, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Fares Fares is a forceful actor who dramatizes George’s movie-star vanity from the inside out.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
Adjective
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Jackie Fields,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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This $150 price drop is a pretty compelling reason to pick one up, whether for yourself or for a grad in your life.—
& John Mihaly,
PC Magazine,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The 82-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 being diagnosed in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.—
Sam Woodward,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Nonprofits focused on such issues could be seen as antagonistic to the company’s aggressive commercialization efforts.—
Hayden Field,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
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This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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However, the attributes that make someone truly effective in a comms leadership role are often less flashy, and far more influential, than many people may realize.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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After nearly 30 years in the music industry, hip-hop artist Lil Wayne is regarded as one of the most influential performers of his generation.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Speaking with an intensity that belies the hippie-speak, Levi is still more of an Aaron Rodgers than a Roger Stone.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
22 May 2025
-
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs’ Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers started with high intensity and closed the same way on Wednesday night.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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These messages are far more convincing than the sloppy scams of the past.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
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If their impressive durability isn’t convincing enough to add them to your virtual cart, the set’s 6,000-plus five-star ratings should be.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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When asked if the current staffing shortages would affect the accuracy of storm forecast models, Graham was emphatic.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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The lasting image from that series was Roy Hibbert’s emphatic block on Carmelo Anthony with 5:03 left in Game 6.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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When thinning, aim to leave the strongest seedlings and remove less vigorous neighbors.—
Viveka Neveln,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 May 2025
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Mow lawns often enough to keep turf at the proper height for vigorous growth.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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