centripetal force
noun
: the force that is necessary to keep an object moving in a curved path and that is directed inward toward the center of rotation
a string on the end of which a stone is whirled about exerts centripetal force on the stone
compare centrifugal force
Examples of centripetal force in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If there isn’t a force like that in the play, the centripetal force sends everybody flying.
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
Notwithstanding his latest setbacks, Putin remains the centripetal force holding the Russian state together.
—Time, 30 June 2023
The evidence suggests that there are centripetal forces that keep metropolitan areas from continually expanding outward, and that centripetal force is going to remain.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2022
Without any mind-blowing sci-fi level breakthroughs, the only practical way to imitate gravity on a trip to Mars is by spinning the spacecraft and creating a centripetal force.
—Yuen Yiu, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for centripetal force 
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Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024
Notwithstanding his latest setbacks, Putin remains the centripetal force holding the Russian state together.
—Time, 30 June 2023
The evidence suggests that there are centripetal forces that keep metropolitan areas from continually expanding outward, and that centripetal force is going to remain.
—Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2022
Without any mind-blowing sci-fi level breakthroughs, the only practical way to imitate gravity on a trip to Mars is by spinning the spacecraft and creating a centripetal force.
—Yuen Yiu, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2021
See all Example Sentences for centripetal force
Dictionary Entries Near centripetal force
Cite this Entry
“Centripetal force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/centripetal%20force. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
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