FORCELESS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

forceless

adjective

Definition of forceless

as in ineffective

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceless

Adjective

Perhaps unsurprisingly, subsequent attempts at diplomacy, led by the ailing diplomat and intellectual Benjamin Franklin, also proved ineffective.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Skunks would rather put up with the strong scent of mothballs than leave a hospitable environment, making mothballs totally ineffective against skunks.

— Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 1 July 2026

Definition of ineffective

Adjective

Lekkerimäki, effectively, is both undersized, struggles to maintain possession of the puck along the wall, is an ineffectual defender and isn’t quick or fast enough to create the separation required to leverage his offensive tools against checkers.

— Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 June 2026
In Australia, a similar ban has proven almost totally ineffectual.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 June 2026

Definition of ineffectual

Adjective

Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh should highlight that market prices are a global endeavor, rendering the Fed largely powerless against what economists mistakenly call inflation.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
By noon Saturday, about 750,000 utility customers were powerless in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and New Jersey.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of powerless

Adjective

The bacterium can also lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication that is more common in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, according to the release.

— Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
While anyone can get sick, young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026

Definition of weakened

Adjective

There is no denying that a partner can feel impotent in that moment, but the notion that being absent entirely would improve matters for anyone is laughable.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 21 June 2026
There is no end to the impotent convulsions of an empire in decline.

— Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026

Definition of impotent

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.

Browse Nearby Words

forcefulness

forceless

for certain

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Forceless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceless. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of forceless

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

effulgence

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes