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force

 
 
pronunciation:
fors
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word History, Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: noun
definition 1: active power, energy, or physical strength.
The force of the hurricane knocked down the trees.
synonyms:
energy, power, strength, vigor
similar words:
authority, brawn, effort, heat, might, muscle, potency, puissance, stress, vim, vitality
definition 2: the use of such power, energy, or strength.
The enemy took the castle by force.
synonyms:
effort
similar words:
action, coercion, compulsion, duress, energy, enforcement, power, violence
definition 3: someone or something with the capacity to influence or cause change.
The force of logic eventually convinced the committee.A group of parents was the main force behind the change in the town's speed limit.She believed that, as a politician, she could be a force for good.
synonyms:
potency, power
similar words:
agency, agent, influence, instrumentality, mover, stimulus, strength
definition 4: in law, illegal violence, as against a person.
Accidental death was ruled out, as use of force on the victim was apparent.
synonyms:
violence
similar words:
assault
definition 5: a group of people joined by a common goal or activity.
the labor forcethe police force
similar words:
army, association, body, corps, gang, group, legion, pool, troop
definition 6: in physics, an influence on the shape, motion, or other characteristics of a body or system.
definition 7: (often pl.) military troops; army.
The enemy has overpowered our forces in the area.
synonyms:
armed forces, army, military, troops
similar words:
air force, Marines, Navy, power
definition 8: effective intensity, as of the mind.
synonyms:
effectiveness, potency, power, strength, vitality
similar words:
ability, action, caliber, efficacy, energy, enthusiasm
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: forces, forcing, forced
definition 1: to use strength or coercion in order to compel.
The interrogators forced him to tell the truth.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ]
synonyms:
coerce, compel, constrain, make, pressure
similar words:
clamor, impel, impose, induce, oblige, press, push
definition 2: to cause to be a certain way by overcoming with power or strength.
The door was locked, so the firefighters had to force it open.[verb + smby/smth + noun/adj ]
definition 3: to cause to do something despite resistance or hesitation.
The accident forced her to rely on her family for help.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ] Being turned down for promotion forced him to make a difficult decision.[verb + smby/smth + infinitive ]
synonyms:
compel, constrain, oblige
similar words:
bind, bore, drive, elbow, necessitate, press, pressure, propel, push
definition 4: to bring about (something) despite there being reluctance or unwillingness.
The scandal forced the congressman's resignation from office.Complaints from customers forced the removal of the product from the market.
definition 5: to obtain through force.
His captors forced a confession from him.
synonyms:
coerce, exact, extort
similar words:
draw, extract, pry, railroad, rout, wrench, wrest
definition 6: to tax or strain.
Don't force the situation.
synonyms:
strain, tax
similar words:
overburden, overload
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: forced (adj.)
Word History
Force comes from fortis, a Latin word that means "strong." This Latin word is also the source of our words fort and fortify.
Word Explorer
See
  energy, measurement, physics, power