force 1 of 2

Definition of forcenext
1
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

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
3
4
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
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

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
The record-breaking heat wave forced the cancellation of several parades and other events in the area. Mike Snider, USA Today, 5 July 2026 Apple’s financial position benefits from a strong and dedicated community, higher specifications that effectively force upgrades on those who want the latest software and services, and increased long-term revenue across its user base. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Noun
Throughout the speech, the socialist mayor argued that the United States has been defined by generations of immigrants and other groups overcoming oppression while casting today’s political and economic leaders as forces working against that legacy. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 Developed by Giacomo Sasso, a postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary University of London, this new tactile system allows robots to see touch in real time by instantly transforming invisible mechanical forces into vivid, dynamic color patterns. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • Detective Joshua Hylton was granted a geofence warrant that compelled Google to search its database and identify every cellphone in a 17½-acre area around the bank, including private residences and a church, for a period of two hours.
    Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026
  • The Current building the stadium, of course, helped compel the expansion that opened in May with a stop that is about a five-minute walk from the stadium.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Judge Sullivan concluded in his June 25 decision to order Blanche to release more information or explain himself that Blanche had likely violated the transparency law.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Guests were reportedly required to sign nondisclosure agreements before receiving any event details (although the NDAs were said not to have included any penalties for violating the terms).
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • The current model, which is linked to the manpower deployed, views AI as a threat.
    Nimit Mehra, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Closing the Manhattan Bridge, diverting traffic, and managing the safety of staging a zombie apocalypse downtown required the cooperation and manpower of multiple agencies with their own sets of pressing priorities and responsibilities.
    Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • These episodes have been triggered by intense heat domes — stubborn areas of high pressure that lock hot air in place — and are clearly supercharged by global warming, experts say.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Even as the communist country proposes reforms, the United States continues a pressure campaign, ramping up economic sanctions and maintaining an oil embargo that has plunged much of the island into darkness.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Junior Caminero has already done some things no Rays players had ever accomplished, such as extending his sizzling power show on Friday to include hitting 10 home runs over a 10-game span.
    Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2026
  • Plus, the power port includes three electrical outlets and three USB ports for powering appliances, speakers, and other devices.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Mathematically, if quality is seven and acceptance is four, effectiveness is 28.
    Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • For Tokyo, that complicates the effectiveness of any unilateral intervention.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • In another recent study on the impact of AI on jobs, the California AI-unemployment tracker examined the state across industries, education levels and region and highlighted some worrying trends.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital Editor, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Was remembers the tumult, violence and hope that came out of that era in his hometown of Detroit.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • But the comments from Raia provide the clearest public indication yet that the FBI's Joint Mission Center, established earlier this year to coordinate the bureau's response to domestic political violence, is producing tangible investigative results.
    Asra Q. Nomani , Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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