1
as in compels
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
2
as in violates
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent
was accused of forcing a woman
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in workforces
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 pressures
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 police
a body of officers of the law
the police detective retired after 23 years on the force
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in supplies
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
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Recent Examples of forces
Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
This is the type of loss that forces a team to take a long look in the mirror.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
This wants to be a #MeToo drama that forces you to confront both bigger-picture assumptions and your own biases.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
In a cruel irony, the chaos of homelessness that forces people to prioritize survival, combined with health conditions such as physical disabilities, dementia or serious mental illness, often collude to prevent patients from engaging with the very systems that could end their homelessness.
—Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
That discovery forces him to confront his own place in a world that often commodifies Black creativity while denying its depth.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
And maybe, just maybe, forces Hamas to surrender in Gaza.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the indie is set in the near future, where a retired soldier’s isolated existence is shattered when a runaway female android seeks refuge on his farm, sparking an unexpected bond that forces them to fight for their survival and for each other.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
This natural variation is one of the most significant driving forces of large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually over North America.
—ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
The closure from state transportation officials highlights continued tensions between California’s Democratic leadership and the White House, especially in the wake of federal forces being deployed across the United States to cities like Los Angeles.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
From trade wars to cyber threats, these forces have moved from the margins to the center of strategic decision-making.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
In the best case, Hamas cooperates with the establishment of an alternative technocratic government supported by international policing forces.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
At the end of that spinoff, Billy joined forces with ghost Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) to find his brother.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
Assuming that forces an honor, finesse the six on the second.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2025
This is the type of loss that forces a team to take a long look in the mirror.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
This wants to be a #MeToo drama that forces you to confront both bigger-picture assumptions and your own biases.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
In a cruel irony, the chaos of homelessness that forces people to prioritize survival, combined with health conditions such as physical disabilities, dementia or serious mental illness, often collude to prevent patients from engaging with the very systems that could end their homelessness.
—Sarah Stella, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
That discovery forces him to confront his own place in a world that often commodifies Black creativity while denying its depth.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
To show him who’s boss, Catherine turns around and buys Pac-North, humiliates him by closing it, and forces him back to Grey Sloan.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
And maybe, just maybe, forces Hamas to surrender in Gaza.
—Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Written by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing, the indie is set in the near future, where a retired soldier’s isolated existence is shattered when a runaway female android seeks refuge on his farm, sparking an unexpected bond that forces them to fight for their survival and for each other.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
The blackout at the power plant, occupied by Russian forces since the early days of the war, marked the tenth time the site lost connection to the grid since the military conflict began, according to the IAEA.
—Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Protest organizers have trained thousands in de-escalation techniques and have promised the day will be safe, even as political rhetoric characterizes demonstrators as being aligned with terrorist forces.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
This natural variation is one of the most significant driving forces of large-scale weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean, and eventually over North America.
—ABC News, 18 Oct. 2025
The closure from state transportation officials highlights continued tensions between California’s Democratic leadership and the White House, especially in the wake of federal forces being deployed across the United States to cities like Los Angeles.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
From trade wars to cyber threats, these forces have moved from the margins to the center of strategic decision-making.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2025
In the best case, Hamas cooperates with the establishment of an alternative technocratic government supported by international policing forces.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
At the end of that spinoff, Billy joined forces with ghost Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) to find his brother.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forces
Verb
-
And for me, that is the fuel that compels this need to create a new era of truth and justice.—
Kurt Streeter,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
-
What compels them to take on such dangerous assignments?—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their lawyers argue that the removal of the books violates federal and state free speech protections.—
Ann Schimke,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The program violates not only the First Amendment but also the Administrative Procedure Act, a federal law about how agencies are allowed to operate, the lawsuit argues.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The economic fallout from deportations is typically focused on the impact to industries with large unauthorized immigrant workforces, such as construction and agriculture.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
In fact, health systems across the country are reducing their workforces.—
Aman Kidwai,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tennessee’s offensive line has allowed a combined 82 pressures, 46 hurries, and 15 QB hits through six games, per Pro Football Focus.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
With these pressures in mind, Rhodes turned to a state program to retire and restore more than 30 acres of older bogs.—
Chelsea Torres,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In 2014, a federal jury awarded Restivo and Halstead $18 million each in their civil case against Nassau County and police investigators.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Alison Catlow, a coroner’s officer for Greater Manchester police, told the inquest Hatton had last been seen by his family two days before his death.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Chewy offers a wide range of pet products including food, treats, supplies, toys, and healthcare items.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Humanitarian aid — including critical supplies, infrastructure repair and medical support — will flow freely into Gaza under the supervision of the United Nations, the Red Crescent and other neutral organizations.—
Morgan Phillips,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While China often threatens and coerces other countries, such as in disputes with South Korea and Australia, its actions are often triggered by events that China feels directly threaten its core interests.—
David C. Kang,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Compulsory heterosexuality is a theoretical framework coined by lesbian scholar Adrienne Rich in 1980 to describe how heterosexuality as an institution compels and coerces female sexuality for patriarchal purposes.—
Quispe López,
Them.,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Lanier rapes Forsythe during a job interview, which O’Brien recounts in upsetting, unwavering detail.—
Jared Sullivan,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2024
-
Donald treats Ivana with similar contempt, and then rapes her.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
10 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Forces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forces. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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