force
noun OPAL WOPAL S
/fɔːs/
/fɔːrs/
Word Family
Idioms - force noun verb
- forceful adjective
- forcefully adverb
- forced adjective (≠ unforced)
- forcible adjective
- forcibly adverb
- enforce verb
- [uncountable] violent physical action used to obtain or achieve something
- The release of the hostages could not be achieved without the use of force.
- If persuasion doesn't work, they use force.
- The government has relied on brute force to respond to public discontent.
- by force The rioters were taken away by force.
- The empire was held together by military force.
- plans to seize power by force of arms (= by military force)
Extra Examples- The regulations allow the use of force if necessary.
- The country's attempts to meet force with force led to the outbreak of war.
- Police were accused of using excessive force.
- The ultimatum contained the threat of military force.
- We will achieve much more by persuasion than by brute force.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
- [uncountable] physical strength, especially as shown when something hits something else
- the force of the explosion/impact
- The shopping centre took the full force of the blast.
- You have to apply some force to move the lever.
- with force She hits the ball with amazing force for someone so small.
Extra ExamplesTopics Physics and chemistryb1- He staggered backwards from the force of the blow.
- The force of the explosion hurled bodies into the air.
- The waves were breaking against the rocks with great force.
- A thick wall shielded us from the force of the wind.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
- [uncountable] the strong effect or influence of something
- They realized the force of her argument.
- a leader who inspired others with the force of his personality
- by force of something He controlled himself by sheer force of will.
- with force Grant drove the point home with considerable force.
- She spoke with force and deliberation.
Extra Examples- I felt the full force of her criticism.
- She used her sheer force of personality to keep the family together.
- Suddenly it came home to me with tremendous force that this was my last chance.
- The emotional force of the songs derives from their universal themes.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
- [countable] a person or thing that has a lot of power or influence
- the forces of good/evil
- They believe that market forces should determine prices.
- Ron is the driving force (= the person who has the most influence) behind the project.
- She's a force to be reckoned with (= a person who has a lot of power and influence and should therefore be treated seriously).
- a force for something a force for good/evil
- The expansion of higher education should be a powerful force for change.
- He was finally defeated by forces beyond his control.
- Social media has become a major force in political campaigns.
Extra Examples- The idea of the West remains a powerful force in American culture.
- She was seen as a potentially disruptive force within the party.
- The play portrays a marriage torn apart by external forces.
- Though officially retired, she remains the creative force behind the design business.
- Many social and economic forces contributed to this trend.
- the combined forces of MI5 and Scotland Yard
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- formidable
- great
- …
- remain
- balance
- fight
- …
- force behind
- force for
- a balance of forces
- a force to be reckoned with
- the forces of nature
- …
- [uncountable] the authority of something
- The court ruled that these standards have force in English law.
- The contract was not signed and has no binding force.
- the force of something These guidelines do not have the force of law.
- The culprits must expect to face the full force of the law.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- binding
- legal
- statutory
- …
- come into
- bring something into
- in force
- the force of law
- [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who have been organized for a particular purpose
- a member of the sales force
- She has attracted a force of passionate young individuals who are committed to the organization.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- [countable + singular or plural verb] a trained and organized group of police, soldiers or other military personnel
- Rebel forces now control most of the capital.
- Government forces captured the rebel positions.
- coalition/allied forces
- a peacekeeping force
- He called on the local population to rise up against the occupying forces.
- American special forces pride themselves on their elite status.
- The government deployed military forces to attack terrorist strongholds.
- The British were ordered to withdraw their forces immediately.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb1- Allied ground forces would move in rapidly.
- Allied forces were able to advance to the capital.
- a token force of only 300 men
- These elite forces are the best equipped and trained in the world.
- UN forces operating in the region
- More troops have been called in to support the coalition forces there.
- a UN deadline for the withdrawal of forces
- A large expeditionary force was assembled.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- the forces[plural] (British English) the army, navy and air force
- life in the forces
- Daisy intends to join the forces when she leaves school this summer.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- forces[plural] the weapons and soldiers that an army, etc. has, considered as things that may be used
- strategic nuclear forces.
- The government is negotiating cuts to nuclear forces.
- the force[singular] the police force
- He joined the force twenty years ago.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- [countable, uncountable] an effect that causes things to move in a particular way
- The moon exerts a force on the earth.
- the force of gravity
- the sun's magnetic force
- Because of the increased mass, more force is needed to accelerate the object.
Wordfinder- amplitude
- atom
- energy
- fission
- force
- frequency
- gravity
- molecule
- nuclear
- physics
Extra Examples- Deep internal forces cause movements of the earth's crust.
- The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.
- lateral forces acting on the car's suspension
- the attractive and repulsive forces between individual particles
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- powerful
- strong
- weak
- …
- apply
- exert
- generate
- …
- act on something
- balance something
- field
- force between
- a balance of forces
- the force of gravity
- [countable, usually singular] a unit for measuring the strength of the wind on the Beaufort scale
- a force 9 gale
- a gale force wind
Extra Examples- The wind was increasing to gale force.
- hurricane-force winds
WordfinderTopics Weatherc1- breeze
- buffet
- calm
- force
- gale
- gust
- hurricane
- prevailing
- tornado
- wind
see also tour de force
violent action
physical strength
strong effect
somebody/something with power
authority
group of people
military
police
physics
of wind
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French force (noun), forcer (verb), based on Latin fortis ‘strong’.
Idioms
bring something into force
- to cause a law, rule, etc. to start being used
- They are hoping to bring the new legislation into force before the end of the year.
come/enter into force
- (of a law, rule, etc.) to start being used
- When do the new regulations come into force?
- The new law comes into force as from midnight tomorrow.
force of habit
- if you do something from or out of force of habit, you do it without thinking about it and in a particular way because you have always done it that way in the past
- It's force of habit that gets me out of bed at 6.15 each morning.
a force of nature
- a person with a very strong personality who is full of energy, very determined and difficult for others to resist
- Gerard is a force of nature, continually pursuing his target when everyone else is ready to give up.
the forces of nature
- the power of the wind, rain, etc., especially when it causes damage or harm
- They were fighting a losing battle against the forces of nature.
in force
- (of people) in large numbers
- Protesters turned out in force.
- (of a law, rule, etc.) being used
- The new regulations are now in force.
Extra Examples- Several archaic laws are still in force.
- Some laws relating to obsolete customs are still in force.
join/combine forces (with somebody)
- to work together in order to achieve a shared aim
- The two firms joined forces to win the contract.
- The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
a spent force
- a person or group that no longer has any power or influence
- The opposition party is now a spent political force.