force 1 of 2

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

Examples 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
Others fail to surrender until a canine is forced to bite them. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024 In 2023, the House Freedom Caucus forced the House to pass a debt limit bill with almost $5 trillion in spending cuts as an opening offer in negotiations with the White House. David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
However, Kurdish forces served as key US partners in the fight against ISIS and control swathes of land in northeast Syria. Mostafa Salem, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024 The young stellar system, estimated to be only 2.7 million years old, is expected to merge into a single star within about a million years due to the gravitational force from Sagittarius A*. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for force 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • Families were reportedly compelled to sign nondisclosure agreements.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Will most indies continue to sell, sell, sell, and be compelled, like Kari Voutilainen, to vertically integrate in order to maintain their freedom from corporate rule?
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • All three officials violated the department's confidentiality and media policy by leaking the information, while one of the officials also violated the department's social media policy by sharing the articles to an official department social media account.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
  • This practice allegedly violates the copyrights of millions of artists, yet accountability remains murky.
    Virginie Berger, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The deal follows activist pressure from Jana Partners, which had built a position in Frontier and been advocating for a sale.
    John Hyatt, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
  • The pressure to win in Los Angeles is what ran Ham out of town, even after a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2023.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The government typically classifies border protection, medical care, air traffic control, law enforcement, and power grid maintenance as essential.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Texas is generating by far the most electricity from wind power and is fast deploying battery energy storage.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Earnings decreased primarily due to the impact of lower prices.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • All three eventually made enormous impacts on the company.
    David Lyman, The Enquirer, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The study on domestic violence and sports betting found that after losses in certain sporting events, there is a 10% increase in intimate partner violence in states that legalized sports betting compared to those that have not.
    Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Rushdie went into hiding as several people associated with the publication were targeted with violence, with a Japanese translator murdered and 37 dying in an arson attack in Turkey.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Preliminary investigation indicates the 37-year-old was driving at a high speed, entered the intersection and struck a Milwaukee County bus that had the right of way, police said.
    Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The legislation will repeal two statutes that have reduced payouts to state and local police, firefighters, teachers and other public sector workers and their spouses for years.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The Global Nuclear Renaissance European countries, badly hit by the sanctions on the cheap Russian gas supply, are reconsidering nuclear.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Annually, egg prices are up 37.5 percent, mainly because bird flu has reduced supply across the country.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near force

Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on force

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!