1
as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
the public outcry from the scandal forced the mayor to resign road construction forced them to take an alternate route
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in manpower
a body of persons at work or available for work
the entire force of the shipyard will be needed to get this government order done on time
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
a cruel tyrant who disbanded the parliament and ruled by force
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in power
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
got through the college board exams by sheer force of will
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade
surely you were influenced by the force of his arguments?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in impact
the quality of an utterance that provokes interest and produces an effect
expressed the full force of her frustration with her son for his reckless behavior
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the officer threatened to resort to force if the suspect did not surrender
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
8
as in supply
the number of individuals or amount of something available at any given time
the great debate during the Cold War was whether the nation's missile force was adequate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of force
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Brutal competition in China’s green tech sectors pushes companies abroad
Brutal competition in China’s clean tech sector is forcing electric-vehicle companies abroad in search of growth while the solar industry readies a cartel to combat mammoth overcapacity.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
Some of the weapons from these exchanges have also been transported to Ukraine, where they will be used by Ukraine’s defense forces.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force
Verb
If Harris remains on NFI after that deadline, he will be forced to miss the first four games of the season.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
Brutal competition in China’s green tech sectors pushes companies abroad
Brutal competition in China’s clean tech sector is forcing electric-vehicle companies abroad in search of growth while the solar industry readies a cartel to combat mammoth overcapacity.
—Semafor Staff, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
Araújo was also seen as the driving force behind some of the Bop House’s more controversial tactics.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
Some of the weapons from these exchanges have also been transported to Ukraine, where they will be used by Ukraine’s defense forces.
—Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
-
Through the weight of fear, exhaustion and mounting legal costs, these lawsuits often don't need to be successful to compel the defending party and others to chill their expression.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In March 2023, the Southern District of New York issued a decision largely granting the NFL’s motion to compel the action to arbitration.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Ward was arrested again in August for allegedly violating his bail agreement on that charge.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
He was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2 for allegedly violating the terms of his probation soon before he was arrested alongside Rebecca in the current case, the court documents show.—
Christopher Damien,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Giants have not exerted that kind of pressure and Adames has been as passive as everyone else.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Caleb Banks returns at defensive tackle after recording seven QB pressures in wins against LSU and Ole Miss.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Hall 6 puts yachts between 65 and 115 feet in the spotlight with a solid selection of superyachts, multihulls in both sail and power, and a special area for superboats and tenders to complement the parent yachts.—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Join us in San Francisco to see hosts Katie Drummond, Michael Calore, and Lauren Goode shed light on the people, power, and influence of Silicon Valley.—
WIRED Staff,
Wired News,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The missile's ultimate impact on the war may depend on the shifting tides of diplomacy, especially if U.S. President Donald Trump succeeds in initiating peace talks.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The first agreement, for improvements of Pabst Farms Boulevard between Village Lane and Sawyer Road based on a traffic impact assessment, formalizes a plan in which Pabst Farms Development and Costco will pay for road costs.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the novel unfolds, Carson follows Lexa’s life at the foot of the mountain, as she is caught between loyalties to her family and to her betrothed, while the spectre of violence creeps closer by the day.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The baseline level of violence in America remains higher than its peer countries, which can fuel legitimate fear, experts say.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami Fire Rescue shortly before 7 a.m., police said.—
Mauricio Maldonado,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
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Both people were brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Educators say setting a good tone at the beginning of the year isn't just about having the right school supplies.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The city stressed the buildings’ hot or cold water supply were not affected by the outbreak, meaning people in the buildings could safely drink water, bathe, shower, cook, and use air conditioners.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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