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

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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

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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
Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025 When June finally gets to Alaska, she’s lost her only companion, as Serena was forced to jump from the train to save herself and her infant son. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
The United States is leading separate peace talks with Kyiv and Moscow as Ukrainian and Russian forces seek to strengthen their respective hands through territorial gains. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 The regiment, part of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division—itself part of the 18th Combined Arms Army—lends critical heavy firepower to Russian forces on the left bank of the wide Dnipro River threading through Kherson. —David Axe, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 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
  • Cabinet members and other White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, claimed Monday morning that the ruling had actually been in the administration's favor and did not compel them to bring back Abrego Garcia.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In response to the AFT’s request for a temporary restraining order to compel the department to resume IDR application processing, the Department of Education filed papers in court last week indicating that processing for ICR, IBR, and PAYE applications would be resuming in the coming weeks.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of compel
Verb
  • The sheriff’s office said it’s launched an internal investigation, but so far has not found any signs that the veteran deputy violated any policies.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In a series of lawsuits following the order, plaintiffs, including 22 Democratic state attorneys general and immigrant rights advocates, argued that Trump's order violates a right protected by the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment: anyone born in the United States is a citizen.
    — Terry Moseley, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of violate
Noun
  • The Fed's most potent weapon against inflation is to ratchet up or maintain higher interest rates, because an increase in borrowing costs slows economic demand, which eases inflationary pressures.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Under public pressure, the Norwegian parliament reacted remarkably fast, closing major areas to all fishing after just nine months of deliberation.
    — Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Intake leverages the power of Ivalua’s gen AI and low code/no code configuration to automate and orchestrate processes across any system.
    — Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of power
Noun
  • Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, so these job losses will have significant impact on the economy.
    — The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Large impacts, like collisions with asteroids or comets, could also have influenced Mars’s climate.
    — Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of impact
Noun
  • Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of violence
Noun
  • The governor and his family were in a different part of the home when the fire took hold, police said.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, police said in a news release Sunday night.
    — Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of police
Noun
  • More recently, though, in early April, a USDA report said egg supplies are on the rise, which could be a bright point for consumers still dealing with inflation.
    — Deanna Marie Lowe, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The pause is temporary, and tariffs on Chinese goods—which include categories that affect the food supply—are still high.
    — Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 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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