1
as in compelling
having the power to persuade
made a very forceful argument against going to war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness
kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt "no"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty
took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others
a forceful speaker whose words moved the audience to tears
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forceful
Harmon’s forceful interior presence and pass-rushing skills are needed as Green Bay waits for other recent first-round linemen to improve.
—
Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Harmon’s forceful interior presence and pass-rushing skills are needed as Green Bay waits for other recent first-round linemen to improve.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
But after more forceful stimulus was announced late last year, analysts started to predict a bottom could come as soon as later this year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Harmon’s forceful interior presence and pass-rushing skills are needed as Green Bay waits for other recent first-round linemen to improve.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
But after more forceful stimulus was announced late last year, analysts started to predict a bottom could come as soon as later this year.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025
She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
Adjective
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Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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The technology's current limitations suggest that human developers will remain essential for creating compelling, polished game experiences for now.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Young has struggled against the Heat’s aggressive defense in recent years.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
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The prison has become a symbol of Bukele's aggressive policies that have targeted gang violence.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.—
Elliot Hughes,
Journal Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2023
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This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.—
National Geographic,
National Geographic,
13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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Beyond artists like Catlett and Biggers – who have earned renown as influential masters, but not the art market compensation of their white peers – The Bronx Museum shines a spotlight on emerging artists whose work challenges cultural and social norms and whisks viewers out of their comfort zones.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Obama operatives have held control or at a minimum been highly influential in the Democratic Party’s 2016, 2020 and 2024 campaigns.—
Amie Parnes,
The Hill,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For years, getting travelers to see Athens as more than a transient city would take some convincing; the extent of their stay at the best hotels in Athens would merely include a brief bucket-list visit to the Acropolis before scurrying off to the Greek islands.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
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Some scammers go all the way to produce convincing looking alternatives to pages for organizations that seem so real, like a courier service.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The former 154-pound champion started putting the building blocks back in place to make a run back at a world title with an emphatic fourth-round TKO win over Joey Spencer.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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Over the years in live performances, Elton has often put a bit more shine on the back half, buoying the vocals and banging through emphatic piano accompaniments.—
Shana Naomi Krochmal,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These look sporty and have high side bolsters, which keep you firmly in place during vigorous driving.—
James Morris,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Seedlings seem susceptible to diseases and not vigorous enough to form the new turf.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Leadership is often associated with grand speeches, authoritative presence and a commanding voice.—
Mohammad Bahareth,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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There are lots of ways to be an authoritative parent, which can leave moms and dads (but mostly moms) feeling rudderless.—
Gail Cornwall,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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