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

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
Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025 When June finally gets to Alaska, she’s lost her only companion, as Serena was forced to jump from the train to save herself and her infant son. Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
The United States is leading separate peace talks with Kyiv and Moscow as Ukrainian and Russian forces seek to strengthen their respective hands through territorial gains. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 The regiment, part of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division—itself part of the 18th Combined Arms Army—lends critical heavy firepower to Russian forces on the left bank of the wide Dnipro River threading through Kherson. David Axe, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for force
Recent Examples of Synonyms for force
Verb
  • Cabinet members and other White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, claimed Monday morning that the ruling had actually been in the administration's favor and did not compel them to bring back Abrego Garcia.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Do judges have the power to compel the administration to change its behavior?
    Patrick Reis, Vox, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The sheriff’s office said it’s launched an internal investigation, but so far has not found any signs that the veteran deputy violated any policies.
    Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In legal terms, the lawsuits are saying oil and gas companies violated consumer-protection laws and committed common-law civil violations such as negligence.
    Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • As privacy changes reshape digital advertising and economic pressures demand greater efficiency, the cost of fragmented analysis is becoming impossible to ignore.
    Cody Greco, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But there must have been a pressure, or at least the possibility, of staying on tour for a whole ‘nother year, if not longer, knowing the demand for it was there and then some.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Everybody else has no choice, really, other than to bring a cruel, narcissistic far-right leader to power.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Intake leverages the power of Ivalua’s gen AI and low code/no code configuration to automate and orchestrate processes across any system.
    Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Evaluating sea-level rise impact zones: The Navigator enables precise mapping of low-lying coastal areas at risk from rising sea levels.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Large impacts, like collisions with asteroids or comets, could also have influenced Mars’s climate.
    Jonathan O’Callaghan, JSTOR Daily, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • One where the memories are as much of romance as violence, as based around out-of-pocket jokes as tears.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Mar. 2025
  • That the specific task at hand in Warfare is so vague is a good reminder that though this happened 20 years ago, there are people right now who have been ordered to enforce political will with violence, and this savagery will likely repeat for all time.
    Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The changes, which are still awaiting legal review, include prohibiting police from releasing K-9 dogs into mass gatherings or riot scenes and requiring a supervisor to go to a scene if someone reports being injured by police.
    Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Austin Metcalf, 17, an 11th grader at Frisco Memorial High School, died after police said another student stabbed him during an altercation in the bleachers at the meet.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • More recently, though, in early April, a USDA report said egg supplies are on the rise, which could be a bright point for consumers still dealing with inflation.
    Deanna Marie Lowe, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Bird flu has decimated the egg supply, lifting prices higher.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Force.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/force. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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