force 1 of 2

verb

Definition of forcenext
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

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to violate
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

force

2 of 2

noun

ˈfȯrs How to pronounce force (audio)
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?

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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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in police
a body of officers of the law the police detective retired after 23 years on the force

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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word force different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of force are coerce, compel, constrain, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

In what contexts can coerce take the place of force?

The meanings of coerce and force largely overlap; however, coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for force?

While in some cases nearly identical to force, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When is it sensible to use constrain instead of force?

While the synonyms constrain and force are close in meaning, constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

When could oblige be used to replace force?

The words oblige and force are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of force
Verb
Set in the winter of 1591, the play unfolds across three clandestine meetings where the rival playwrights are forced into creative collaboration amid a climate of conspiracy and paranoia. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 May 2025 That gives you a puncher’s chance against a team that runs on makes and misses and forces defensive miscues by sheer virtue of its pace of play. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Noun
Officials said Klinghoffer was driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon, and confirmed that Sanchez's cause of death was blunt force trauma. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 29 May 2025 Miles Clements Partner, Accel Key Deals: Cursor, Laravel, Linear, Remote Miles Clements joined Accel in 2009 as the firm’s first associate and has since become a driving force behind Accel’s growth strategy, helping to lead that fund. —Truebridge Capital, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
  1. compel
  2. violate
  3. pressure
  4. power
  5. impact
  6. violence
  7. police
  8. supply
Verb
  • From the kickoff of their campaigns, candidates would be compelled to reach out to all voters and not just play to the base.
    — John Avlon, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
  • More news: Former MLB Outfielder, World Series Series Champion, Dies From Brain Injury Unfortunately, Hendriks was compelled to issue a warning Thursday to to fans who have threatened his and his wife's life on social media.
    — Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Definition of compel
Verb
  • In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • The refrigerator was not cold enough and two cats roamed the shop, violating state food code.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Definition of violate
Noun
  • The France captain arrived last summer with pressure on his shoulders from being a longstanding target for the club and its president, Florentino Perez, since his breakthrough at Monaco in 2016-17.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • These memory foam flip-flops have arch support that’ll help relieve pressure on your joints, according to the brand.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • While others chase fleeting trends or seek instant results, those who understand and leverage the power of patience may be able to secure more consistent, sustainable and rewarding investments.
    — Rodolfo Delgado, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • But that, in itself, speaks to the power of acknowledging reality onscreen — even in science-fiction.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 30 May 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • The turtle is reportedly doing fine and the golf ball impact doesn’t seem to have caused long-term consequences besides a pretty unique scar.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 29 May 2025
  • The justices said claims of the potential impact on the environment have been used too often to delay or block new projects.
    — David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of impact
Noun
  • Despite their fierce appearances, many of the barbers who work at Liem’s shops are soft-spoken and humble and reject any perceptions of violence and crime.
    — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • On the agenda: discussions about the various ways antisemitic rhetoric can lead to violence.
    — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
Definition of violence
Noun
  • The interior ministry’s provisional assessment as of Sunday morning was that 559 people had been arrested, including 491 in Paris, which led to 320 people being placed in police custody, 254 of them in Paris.
    — Reuters, CNN Money, 1 June 2025
  • Officers located a rifle found underneath a car and multiple shell casings were also found on the block, according to a police report.
    — Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
Definition of police
Noun
  • The problem is especially pronounced in Arizona’s rural areas, many of which don’t have groundwater regulations, and little backup supply from rivers.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Grower supply stores and landscape supply companies can be good sources for large amounts of potting mix.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025
Definition of supply

Phrases Containing force

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forborne
force
forced
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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on force

Nglish: Translation of force for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about force

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