Force — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Force
Force (noun)
- strength or energy exerted or brought to bear, cause of motion or change, active power
- —used with a number to indicate the strength of the wind according to the Beaufort scale
- moral or mental strength
Force (verb)
- to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means
- to make or cause especially through natural or logical necessity
- to press, drive, pass, or effect against resistance or inertia
Force (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
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"
-
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent
"was accused of forcing a woman"
Force (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms
-
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"
-
the use of power to impose one's will on another
"a cruel tyrant who disbanded the parliament and ruled by force"
-
the ability to exert effort for the accomplishment of a task
"got through the college board exams by sheer force of will"
-
the capacity to persuade
"surely you were influenced by the force of his arguments?"
-
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"
-
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"
-
a body of officers of the law
"the police detective retired after 23 years on the force"
-
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, Thesaurus & Another Word for Force
The most common words with a similar meaning to Force:
Antonyms & Opposite Words for Force
Words with the opposite meaning of Force:
Near Antonyms of Force
Word Forms of Force
Origin & Etymology of Force
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *fortia, from Latin fortis strong
First known use: 14th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Force
- CEFR level: B1 English Vocabulary — Page 6
- Topics: Common Actions / Verbs
Words & Phrases Containing Force
Frequently Asked Questions about Force
What does "Force" mean?
"Force" means strength or energy exerted or brought to bear, cause of motion or change, active power. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: strength or energy exerted or brought to bear, cause of motion or change, active power. It has 10 distinct senses.
What is another word for "Force"?
Other words for "Force" include blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, impel and impress. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Force" you intend.
What are different ways to say "Force"?
There are 239 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Force". Common alternatives include blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, impel, impress, make and muscle.
What is the opposite of "Force"?
Antonyms of "Force" include impotence, impotency, powerlessness, weakness, inconclusiveness, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality and ineffectualness. Near antonyms include allow, let, permit and argue.
How do you use "Force" in a sentence?
Examples of "Force" in a sentence: "the public outcry from the scandal forced the mayor to resign"; "road construction forced them to take an alternate route"; "was accused of forcing a woman".
Is "Force" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Force" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.
Is "Force" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As a B1-level word, "Force" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.
How do you pronounce "Force"?
"Force" is pronounced /ˈfȯrs/.