force
1 of 2noun
ˈfȯrs 
1
a(1)
: strength or energy exerted or brought to bear : cause of motion or change : active power
the forces of nature
the motivating force in her life
(2)
capitalized —used with a number to indicate the strength of the wind according to the Beaufort scale
a Force 10 hurricane
b
: moral or mental strength
I was impressed by the force of his character.
c
: capacity to persuade or convince
the force of the argument
2
a
: military strength
b(1)
: a body (as of troops or ships) assigned to a military purpose
a force of 20,000 soldiers
(2)
forces plural : the whole military strength (as of a nation)
c
: a body of persons or things available for a particular end
a labor force
the missile force
d
: an individual or group having the power of effective action
join forces to prevent violence
a force in politics
e
often capitalized : police force —usually used with the
After his military service, he joined the force.
3
: violence, compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person or thing
Those who do not respond to kindness must yield to force.
4
a
: an agency or influence that if applied to a free body results chiefly in an acceleration of the body and sometimes in elastic deformation and other effects
b
: any of the natural influences (such as electromagnetism (see electromagnetism sense 2a), gravity, the strong force, and the weak force) that exist especially between particles and determine the structure of the universe
5
: the quality of conveying impressions intensely in writing or speech
stated the objectives with force
6
baseball : force-out
forceless
ˈfȯrs-ləs
adjective force
2 of 2verb
forced; forcing
transitive verb
1
: to do violence to
especially : rape
2
: to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means
3
: to make or cause especially through natural or logical necessity
forced to admit my error
the last minute goal forced overtime
4
a
: to press, drive, pass, or effect against resistance or inertia
force your way through
b
: to impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably
force unwanted attentions on a coworker
5
: to achieve or win by strength in struggle or violence: such as
a
: to win one's way into
force a castle
forced the mountain passes
b
: to break open or through
force a lock
6
a
: to raise or accelerate to the utmost
forcing the pace
b
: to produce only with unnatural or unwilling effort
forced a smile
c
: to wrench, strain, or use (language) with marked unnaturalness and lack of ease
7
a
: to hasten the rate of progress or growth of
b
: to bring (plants) to maturity out of the normal season
forcing lilies for Easter
8
: to induce (a particular bid or play by another player) in a card game by some conventional act, play, bid, or response
9
a
: to cause (a runner in baseball) to be put out on a force-out
b
: to cause (a run) to be scored in baseball by giving a base on balls when the bases are full
forcer noun
Synonyms
Noun
- help
- labor force
- manpower
- personnel
- pool
- staff
- workforce
Verb
- blackjack
- coerce
- compel
- constrain
- dragoon
- drive
- impel
- impress
- make
- muscle
- obligate
- oblige
- press
- pressure
- sandbag
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The front of the car took the full force of the collision. instruments used to measure the force of the wind The police were accused of using excessive force when they made the arrest. We discourage the use of force. He used brute force to open the door. I was impressed by the force of her personality. Verb They forced us to work long hours without pay. The flooding forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes. After seeing the evidence, I was forced to admit my error. I am forced to conclude that more funding will be necessary. The pilot was forced to land when one of the plane's engines caught fire. The scandal forced his resignation. Lack of time may eventually force a compromise. They are trying to force a vote on this issue. The runner was forced out of bounds. Their car was forced off the road. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Simonson, CNN, 15 Feb. 2023 California law requires police departments to release footage of most officer shootings and other serious uses of force within 45 days. —Libor Janystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2023 State police agents took up the investigation of Humphrey's use of force as well as the investigation of the gas station shooting, which left one victim injured. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 12 Feb. 2023 The new policy was among several changes credited with helping the department reduce its use of force. —Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2023 The department revealed on Jan. 31 that four of the five officers had received past discipline from the department, including for failing to properly file paperwork regarding use of force. —Robert Klemko, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Ian Adams, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina said: Video isn't enough to determine if there was excessive use of force. —Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2023 Anderson died of cardiac arrest about 4½ hours after the use of force. —Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 The final game of the first round featured a show of force from the northernmost team as the Arctic Bears from Fairbanks dispatched Chugiak/Eagle River in a shutout. —Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2023 Lindsay Whitehurst, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 Even though Taylor claims Kowalczyk has no legal means to fire him from Live, the guitarist also can’t force Kowalczyk to play shows with him. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2023 The legal turmoil caused by the first major gun ruling in a decade will likely force the Supreme Court to step in again soon to provide more guidance for judges. —Alanna Durkin Richer And Lindsay Whitehurst, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Feb. 2023 Instead, the Wolfpack use active on-ball defense to force turnovers and get transition buckets. —Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2023 The surge was the result of defensive pressure by Springdale, which used quick hands to force turnovers that resulted in fast break baskets or free throws. —Rick Fires, Arkansas Online, 18 Jan. 2023 The Horned Frogs force many turnovers, which is why they get bested on the defensive glass so frequently. —Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023 Washington attempted to trap Paopao in order to force another turnover. —oregonlive, 13 Jan. 2023 The Warriors used their press to force four straight Shamrocks turnovers during one stretch. —Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2023 See More
Noun
The demand in Houston for a federal probe comes as law enforcement use of force, especially against African Americans, is under scrutiny nationwide. —Amy Simonson, CNN, 15 Feb. 2023 California law requires police departments to release footage of most officer shootings and other serious uses of force within 45 days. —Libor Janystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2023 State police agents took up the investigation of Humphrey's use of force as well as the investigation of the gas station shooting, which left one victim injured. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 12 Feb. 2023 The new policy was among several changes credited with helping the department reduce its use of force. —Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2023 The department revealed on Jan. 31 that four of the five officers had received past discipline from the department, including for failing to properly file paperwork regarding use of force. —Robert Klemko, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Ian Adams, assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Carolina said: Video isn't enough to determine if there was excessive use of force. —Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2023 Anderson died of cardiac arrest about 4½ hours after the use of force. —Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2023 The final game of the first round featured a show of force from the northernmost team as the Arctic Bears from Fairbanks dispatched Chugiak/Eagle River in a shutout. —Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Feb. 2023 Verb
The legal turmoil caused by the first major gun ruling in a decade will likely force the Supreme Court to step in again soon to provide more guidance for judges. —Lindsay Whitehurst, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 Even though Taylor claims Kowalczyk has no legal means to fire him from Live, the guitarist also can’t force Kowalczyk to play shows with him. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Feb. 2023 The legal turmoil caused by the first major gun ruling in a decade will likely force the Supreme Court to step in again soon to provide more guidance for judges. —Alanna Durkin Richer And Lindsay Whitehurst, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Feb. 2023 Instead, the Wolfpack use active on-ball defense to force turnovers and get transition buckets. —Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2023 The surge was the result of defensive pressure by Springdale, which used quick hands to force turnovers that resulted in fast break baskets or free throws. —Rick Fires, Arkansas Online, 18 Jan. 2023 The Horned Frogs force many turnovers, which is why they get bested on the defensive glass so frequently. —Dallas News, 18 Jan. 2023 Washington attempted to trap Paopao in order to force another turnover. —oregonlive, 13 Jan. 2023 The Warriors used their press to force four straight Shamrocks turnovers during one stretch. —Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 12 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fortia, from Latin fortis strong
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing force
Kids Definition
force
1 of 2 noun ˈfō(ə)rs
ˈfȯ(ə)rs
1
a
: strength or energy put forth : active power
forces of nature
b
: capacity to persuade or convince
the force of this argument
c
: the state of existing and being enforced : effect
that law is still in force
2
: a group of persons trained and available for action
a police force
the nation's labor force
3
: violence or power used on a person or thing
open a door by force
4
: an influence (as a push or pull) that tends to produce a change in the speed or direction of motion of something
the force of gravity
forceless
-ləs
adjective force
2 of 2 verb forced; forcing
1
: to make (as a person) do something
forced them to work
2
a
: to get or make by using force
forced their way into the room
b
: to break open or through
force a lock
3
: to produce with effort
forced a weak smile
4
: to speed up the development of
force flowers
forcer noun
Medical Definition
force
1 of 2 noun ˈfō(ə)rs, ˈfȯ(ə)rs
: an agency or influence that if applied to a free body results chiefly in an acceleration of the body and sometimes in elastic deformation and other effects
forcé
2 of 2 see accouchement forcé
Legal Definition
force
1 of 2 noun1
: a cause of motion, activity, or change
— intervening force
: a force that acts after another's negligent act or omission has occurred and that causes injury to another : intervening cause at cause
— irresistible force
: an unforeseeable event especially that prevents performance of an obligation under a contract : force majeure
2
: a body of persons available for a particular end
the labor force
specifically : police force —usually used with the
3
: violence, compulsion, or constraint exerted upon or against a person or thing
— constructive force
: the use of threats or intimidation for the purpose of gaining control over or preventing resistance from another
— deadly force
: force that is intended to cause or that carries a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily injury compare nondeadly force in this entry
Note: As a general rule, deadly force may be used without incurring criminal or tort liability when one reasonably believes that one's life or safety is in danger. In some cases, a person's unreasonable belief in the need for deadly force has been used to justify reducing a charge of murder to voluntary manslaughter. Additionally, a police officer is generally justified in using deadly force to prevent the escape of a suspect who threatens the officer or who the officer has probable cause to believe has committed a violent crime.
— lawful force
: force that is considered justified under the law and does not create criminal or tort liability compare unlawful force in this entry
— moderate force \\ ˈmä-də-rət- \\
: nondeadly force in this entry
— nondeadly force
: force that is intended to cause minor bodily injury
also : a threat (as by the brandishing of a gun) to use deadly force
called also moderate force
compare deadly force in this entry — reasonable force
: Lawful force that is reasonably necessary to accomplish a particular end (as preventing theft of one's property)
— unlawful force
: force that is not justified under the law and therefore is considered a tort or crime or both compare lawful force in this entry
force
2 of 2 transitive verb forced; forcing
1
a
: to compel by physical means often against resistance
forced him into the car
b
: to break open or through
forced the door
see also forcible entry 2
: to impose or require by law see also elective share, forced heir at heir, forced sale at sale
force 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to coerce
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
Relevance
- coerce
- compel
- pressure
- obligate
- drive
- oblige
- constrain
- muscle
- impel
- blackmail
- intimidate
- press
- dragoon
- make
- bully
- impress
- sandbag
- threaten
- blackjack
- browbeat
- drag
- menace
- terrorize
- twist one's arm
- bulldoze
- cow
- harass
- badger
- hector
- shame
- hound
- high-pressure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permit
- let
- allow
- move
- induce
- convince
- satisfy
- persuade
- argue
- talk (into)
- win (over)
- prevail (on or upon)
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
- violate
- assault
- rape
- date rape
- ravish
- gang rape
- molest
- paw
- deflower
- defile
force
2 of 2noun
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
- manpower
- workforce
- staff
- personnel
- labor force
- pool
- help
- crew
- worker
- employee
- team
- support
- squad
- labor
- company
- proletariat
- band
- helper
- gang
- party
- blood
- employe
- rank and file
- outfit
- hireling
2
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another a cruel tyrant who disbanded the parliament and ruled by force Synonyms & Similar Words
- pressure
- compulsion
- constraint
- coercion
- intimidation
- threat
- violence
- duress
- strength
- arm-twisting
- menace
- fear
- squeeze
- stress
- bulldozing
- sword
- muscle
- bullying
- terror
- terrorism
- might
- browbeating
- potency
- puissance
- squeeze play
- willfulness
- self-will
- strain
- hardheadedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- consent
- agreement
- permission
- approval
- persuasion
- reason
- suasion
- convincing
3
as in strength
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task got through the college board exams by sheer force of will Synonyms & Similar Words
- strength
- power
- energy
- muscle
- firepower
- capability
- vigor
- might
- capacity
- horsepower
- potency
- sinew
- competence
- potence
- puissance
- competency
- aptitude
- usefulness
- effectiveness
- adequacy
- effectualness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inability
- weakness
- powerlessness
- incapacity
- disability
- incapability
- impotence
- inaptitude
- impotency
- incompetency
- incompetence
- paralysis
- ineffectiveness
- ineffectuality
- inefficacy
- incapableness
- helplessness
- uselessness
- ineffectualness
- inefficaciousness
4
as in effectiveness
the capacity to persuade surely you were influenced by the force of his arguments? Synonyms & Similar Words
- effectiveness
- strength
- authority
- conclusiveness
- power
- persuasion
- forcefulness
- validity
- persuasiveness
- influence
- credibility
- impact
- cogency
- might
- convincingness
- appeal
- soundness
- suasiveness
- punch
- sway
- weight
- believability
- definitiveness
- seductiveness
- authoritativeness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ineffectiveness
- invalidity
- ineffectuality
- weakness
- ineffectualness
- powerlessness
- unsoundness
- feebleness
- inconclusiveness
- shakiness
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
- impact
- effectiveness
- punch
- forcefulness
- appeal
- importance
- point
- significance
- cogency
- attraction
- payoff
- charm
- fascination
6
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property the officer threatened to resort to force if the suspect did not surrender Synonyms & Similar Words
- violence
- assault
- brutality
- compulsion
- attack
- pressure
- injury
- coercion
- terror
- foul play
- harm
- threat
- constraint
- battery
- duress
- damage
- riot
- crippling
- detriment
- hurt
- revolt
- outrage
- barbarity
- whipping
- savagery
- shock
- hammering
- impairment
- fury
- smashing
- buffeting
- pummeling
- mayhem
- battering
- beating
- upheaval
- rupture
- turbulence
- mutilation
- maiming
- bludgeoning
- onslaught
- whaling
- thrashing
- frenzy
- rage
- pounding
- bashing
- mauling
- walloping
- bulldozing
- clubbing
- browbeating
- flogging
- bullying
- paddling
- licking
- rampage
- pummelling
- belting
- thumping
- pelting
- batting
- cudgelling
- cudgeling
- outbreak
- strong-arming
- socking
- tumult
- pommelling
- pommeling
- paroxysm
- hectoring
- storm
- drubbing
- lacing
- tromping
- uproar
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nonviolence
- pacifism
- pacificism
7
as in police
a body of officers of the law the police detective retired after 23 years on the force Synonyms & Similar Words
- police
- constabulary
- police force
- heat
- man
- finest
- policeman
- officer
- cop
- fuzz
- trooper
- constable
- police officer
- bull
- copper
- gendarme
- policewoman
- bobby
- bluecoat
- peeler
- shamus
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
- supply
- repertoire
- inventory
- pool
- reservoir
- fund
- budget
- stock
- source
- resource
- reserve
- hoard
- replacement
- renewal
- cache
- spring
- stockpile
- nest egg
- refill
- purse
- well
- fountain
- pot
- mine
- kitty
- wellspring
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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
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
Phrases Containing force
- dolichoblond
- dolichocephal
- dolichocephalic
- dolichocephalies
- dolichocephalism
- dolichocephalisms
- dolichocephaly
- dolichocranial
- dolichocrany
- Dolichoglossus
- dolichoid
- dolichonyces
- dolichonyxes
- dolichopodid
- Dolichopodidae
- dolichopodous
- dolichoprosopic
- dolichos
- dolichosaur
- Dolichosaurus
- dolichoses
- Dolichosoma
- dolichosses
- dolichostylous
- dolichotes