1
: compelled by force or necessity : involuntary
a forced landing
2
: done or produced with effort, exertion, or pressure
a forced laugh
forcedly adverb

Examples of forced in a Sentence

forced payment of membership dues wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their cumulative stats in those 16 games are exceptional: 18.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 49 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025 But activists like Lee criticized the measures as cosmetic, saying they were aimed at improving Taiwan’s image rather than addressing the root causes of forced labor. Eric Cheung, CNN Money, 12 July 2025 The Advertiser was edited by Samuel Adams for artisans and laborers fired up by their successful resistance to impressment—the Navy’s effort to grab men for forced service—and concerned about rising poverty in the postwar depression. Time, 7 July 2025 The conflict has resulted in the forced displacement of almost the entire population of over 2 million people, and the killing of about 55,000 combatants and civilians, some 3,000 of whom were killed since the most recent ceasefire ended in March, according to Hamas. Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for forced

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forced was circa 1537

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forced. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

forced

adjective
ˈfō(ə)rst How to pronounce forced (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)rst
1
: caused or brought about by force or necessity : involuntary
made a forced landing
2
: done or produced with effort
a forced laugh

More from Merriam-Webster on forced

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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