1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law
forced payment of membership dues
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality
wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unwilling
not made or done willingly or by choice
participation in the program was forced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in compelled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violated
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forced
Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Now, a federal indictment charges Peña Lopez and Correa Peña with forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Andrea Mays, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Harris was forced out of the CDC in the turmoil of spring 2025.
—Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forced
Adjective
According to the filing, Apple’s suppliers engage in forced and child labor, and beatings of workers.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
Now, a federal indictment charges Peña Lopez and Correa Peña with forced labor and conspiracy to commit forced labor, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
College faculty are then forced to spend instructional time reteaching basic math and writing, which detracts from the advanced material a college course is meant to deliver.
—Andrea Mays, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
Harris was forced out of the CDC in the turmoil of spring 2025.
—Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forced
Adjective
-
They are focused on the human injustices wrought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who have stopped cars on roadsides, rounded up job-seekers and even laid in wait outside hearing rooms to detain people complying with required appearances in immigration court.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The floor initially existed as a score consisting of the project drawings and the required materials; the final shape was left to the team, with the sole instruction not to clean or organize them neatly.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As Derya and Aziz’s hypocrisies, as upper-class intellectuals, are increasingly brought to the fore, Namal and Biçer’s conversational performances grow haggard and strained.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Gregg Phillips, an associate administrator at FEMA, said at a hearing this week that its disaster relief fund has sufficient balances to continue emergency response activities during a shutdown, but would become seriously strained in the event of a catastrophic disaster.—
Mary Clare Jalonick,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For years, Kraft Heinz has underinvested in its brands, and executives appeared unwilling to change that strategy, Piper Sandler analyst Michael Lavery wrote in a note to clients on Wednesday.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
-
One question that came up is what else any city would be willing or unwilling to fly.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Anecdotes like these are the reason Wong felt compelled to start documenting mahjong traditions.—
Grace Hwang Lynch,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Never has Congress compelled the testimony of a former president under threat of contempt charges.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the director and board both agree the investigation showed police policy was violated, the Cincinnati city manager will make a final decision regarding punishment, if warranted.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That case alleges the feds violated their contract with the GDC by refusing to pay out funds promised by Congress.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
European and American teachings focused more on compulsory figures, the basic patterns skaters would trace across the ice that give the sport its name.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Last year, Denmark sought to increase the number of young people in the military by extending compulsory enlistment to women for the first time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Pharmacy technician students practice compounding mock medications such as lip balms and creams.—
Wilborn P. Nobles III,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The oversized mock-neck sweater tucks chicly into the pencil-leg pants, primed for rolling at the hems and styling with chunky sneakers for long travel days.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
10 Feb. 2026
-
According to the recent court filings, members are coerced to provide all of the labor in the GCCA compound without compensation.—
Jane Borden,
Rolling Stone,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forced. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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