Forceful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈfȯrs-fəl/ force·ful

Meaning & Definition of Forceful

Forceful (adjective)

  1. possessing or filled with force, effective

Forceful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having the power to persuade

    "made a very forceful argument against going to war"

    similar: cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling
    related: authoritative, definitive, sound, valid, well-founded, important, significant, weighty, material, pertinent, relevant
    opposite: inconclusive, indecisive, ineffective, uncompelling, unconvincing, unpersuasive
    near: groundless, invalid, shaky, unfounded, unsound, inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant, immaterial, irrelevant, feeble, weak

  2. marked by or uttered with forcefulness

    "kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt no"

    similar: aggressive, assertive, dynamic, emphatic, energetic, full-blooded, muscular, resounding, strenuous, vehement, vigorous, violent
    related: decided, insistent, marked, pointed, absolute, categorical, clear, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal, arresting, compelling, conspicuous, impelling, noticeable, striking
    opposite: nonassertive, nonemphatic, unemphatic
    near: guarded, mild, uncompelling, weak, wishy-washy, ambiguous, equivocal, halting, hesitant, understated

  3. not showing weakness or uncertainty

    "took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue"

    similar: firm, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, strong, sturdy, vigorous
    related: hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding, animated, brisk, energetic, frisky, jaunty, jazzy, lively, peppy, perky, spirited, sprightful, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, assured, certain, confident, sanguine, secure, sure
    opposite: uncertain, weak
    near: feeble, fragile, frail, limp, listless, spiritless, diffident, insecure, self-doubting, characterless, effete, spineless, weakened, weak-kneed, wimpy, wishy-washy

  4. having power over the minds or behavior of others

    "a forceful speaker whose words moved the audience to tears"

    similar: authoritative, influential, weighty
    related: cogent, controlling, dominating, masterful, dominant, predominant, regnant, sovereign, supreme, eminent, important, momentous
    near: helpless, impotent, powerless, weak, incapable, unable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Forceful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Forceful:

cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, persuasive, satisfying, strong, telling, aggressive, assertive, dynamic, emphatic, energetic, full-blooded, muscular, resounding, strenuous, vehement, vigorous, violent, firm, hearty, iron, lusty, robust, solid, stout, sturdy, authoritative, influential, weighty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Forceful

Words with the opposite meaning of Forceful:

inconclusive, indecisive, ineffective, uncompelling, unconvincing, unpersuasive, nonassertive, nonemphatic, unemphatic, uncertain, weak

Related Words for Forceful

definitive, sound, valid, well-founded, important, significant, material, pertinent, relevant, decided, insistent, marked, pointed, absolute, categorical, clear, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal, arresting, conspicuous, impelling, noticeable, striking, hard, ironclad, mighty, powerful, tough, unyielding

Near Antonyms of Forceful

groundless, invalid, shaky, unfounded, unsound, inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant, immaterial, irrelevant, feeble, guarded, mild, wishy-washy, ambiguous, equivocal, halting, hesitant, understated, fragile, frail, limp, listless, spiritless, diffident, insecure, self-doubting, characterless, effete, spineless

Word Forms of Forceful

Derived words: forcefulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Forceful

First known use: 1571

Frequently Asked Questions about Forceful

What does "Forceful" mean?

"Forceful" means possessing or filled with force, effective. As an adjective, it is defined as: possessing or filled with force, effective. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Forceful"?

Other words for "Forceful" include cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, persuasive and satisfying. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Forceful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Forceful"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Forceful". Common alternatives include cogent, compelling, conclusive, convincing, decisive, effective, persuasive, satisfying, strong and telling.

What is the opposite of "Forceful"?

Antonyms of "Forceful" include inconclusive, indecisive, ineffective, uncompelling, unconvincing, unpersuasive, nonassertive and nonemphatic. Near antonyms include groundless, invalid, shaky and unfounded.

How do you use "Forceful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Forceful" in a sentence: "made a very forceful argument against going to war"; "kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt no"; "took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue".

Is "Forceful" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Forceful" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Forceful"?

"Forceful" is pronounced /ˈfȯrs-fəl/ and divided into syllables as force·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Forceful"?

First known use: 1571.