Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

force en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

/foɹs/ (General-American)
/foəs/ (Eastern-New-England)
/foːs/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
/foɾs/ (Scotland)
[fo̞ɹs] (General-American)
fôrs (General-American)
fōrs without the horse–hoarse merger
/fɔəs/ (Received-Pronunciation, obsolete)
/fɔːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/foɹs/ early 20th century General American, near-obsolete
(US) audio
/fɒ(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
/fɔːs/ Manchester
/foː(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia)

Etymology

From Middle English force, fors, forse, from Old French force, from Late Latin fortia, a noun derived from the neuter plural of Latin fortis (“strong”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ- (“to rise, high, hill”).

Meanings

(countable, uncountable) Ability to influence; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
- the force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract
- After his actions were challenged by foreign governments and Parliament initially tried to put a stop to his action, Denman returned home and argued his case with enough force that, by 1848, the Royal Navy was handed active permission and encouragement to raze every last slave factory they could find to the ground, and full authority to stop any ship, of any flag, that was thought to be a slaver, with a guarantee with^([sic]) no censure from the government. 2018 December 1, Drachinifel, 9:45 from the start, in Anti-Slavery Patrols - The West Africa Squadron, archived from the original on 29 Nov 2024:
- show of force
- He was, in the full force of the words, a good man. 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XIV, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
(uncountable) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn). ▸ The generalized abstraction of this concept.
- Torque is the rotational version of force.
- Force is the result of fundamental interactions.
(countable) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn). ▸ A particular form or type of force.
- Most physicists deem there to be four fundamental forces: the weak force, the strong force, gravitation, and the electromagnetic force.
- fictitious forces
- As the force that attracts conglomerates of matter to one another, gravity has a limitless pull. 1989 May, John Boslough, “Searching for the Secrets of Gravity”, in National Geographic, volume 175, number 5, page 563:
(capitalized, countable, humorous, often, uncountable, with the) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn). ▸ A particular form or type of force. ▸ A metaphysical and ubiquitous power from the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. See usage note.
- Catrin: Are you gonna bring it me, or shall I use the Force? 2010, Gary Owen, Love Steals Us from Loneliness, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, →DOI, →ISBN, page 14:
- The Europeans tried, my goodness how they tried. But on the day the US proved too strong and too inspired. They were, dammit, just better. And when Leonard's putt dropped they clearly had the force with them as well. 1999 September 28, Mike Selvey, “Crenshaw vindicated by a chain reaction”, in The Guardian:
- The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural. 2005, George Lucas, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, spoken by Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), published 2005:
(countable) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn). ▸ An instance of a physical force.
- A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place. Applying a force tangential to the knob is essentially equivalent to applying one perpendicular to a radial line defining the lever. 2012 March 14, Henry Petroski, “Opening Doors”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, pages 112–3:
- Two forces acting upon the same point on an object will cancel out only if they have equal magnitude and opposite directions.
(possibly, proscribed, uncountable) A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn). ▸ Force understood as something of which there can be an amount.
- Heavier objects are those that are subject to more gravitational force.
(countable) Anything that is able to make a substantial change in a person or thing.
(countable, uncountable) Something or anything that has the power to produce a physical effect upon something else, such as causing it to move or change shape.
(countable) Something that exerts influence.
- force of nature
(countable, qualifier:when in reference to that which it affects, uncountable) Something that exerts influence. ▸ Something that, over time, influences a system with which it interacts (with a connotation of underlyingness, subtlety, or indirectness).
- I believe that the main long-term force that guides a society's evolution is not the economy or the leaders, but the culture.
- Some skeptics have attributed changing temperatures to forces out of our control, such as axial procession.
- market forces
(uncountable) Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
- which now they hold by force, and not by right 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
(countable, uncountable) Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion. ▸ Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion.
(countable) A group organized for the goal of attacking, controlling, or constraining, especially one with a set command structure (in particular, a military or police group).
- air force; police force
- Is Lucius general of the forces? 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
- For Lothian and Borders Police, the early-morning raid had come at the end one of biggest investigations carried out by the force, which had originally presented a dossier of evidence on the murder of Jodi Jones to the Edinburgh procurator-fiscal, William Gallagher, on 25 November last year. 2004 April 15, “Morning swoop in hunt for Jodi's killer”, in The Scotsman:
- Force Z
- "A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day. He is strengthening his forces now against Mr. Benton out there.[…]." 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
(countable, uncountable) A group organized for the goal of attacking, controlling, or constraining, especially one with a set command structure (in particular, a military or police group). ▸ Any large, organized group involved in a military engagement.
(countable, plural, singular, uncountable) A group organized for the goal of attacking, controlling, or constraining, especially one with a set command structure (in particular, a military or police group). ▸ Military personnel, collectively, including any vehicles, ships, or aircraft. More broadly, the military or police altogether.
- After only a week, Japanese forces had captured Singapore from the British.
- reinforcements grew the American force in the area to 9,000
- Roman forces were
(countable, plural, singular, uncountable, usually, with-definite-article) A group organized for the goal of attacking, controlling, or constraining, especially one with a set command structure (in particular, a military or police group). ▸ Military personnel, collectively, including any vehicles, ships, or aircraft. More broadly, the military or police altogether. ▸ Synonym of police force.
- Q. All the time that he was on the force? A. I cannot say that; but there were men on with me when I was on the force who were very good Republicans. Q. During all this time you have been on the police force? 1880, [U.S.] House documents, page 64:
- Niall was on the force, too, a detective in major crimes. 2012 February 1, Janice Kay Johnson, Between Love and Duty, Harlequin, →ISBN, page 77:
- Some of those that work forces / Are the same that burn crosses 1992, Rage Against the Machine (band), Killing in the Name
(uncountable) The state of having legal weight, of being legally valid,.
- The law will come into force in January.
(countable) A magic trick in which the outcome is known to the magician beforehand, especially one involving the apparent free choice of a card by another person.
(countable, uncountable) Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning.
- When the aspectual force of the verbal categories weakens, the 'terminative', punctual or determinative value of the prefix gains in importance,... 1962, J Gonda, The aspectual function of the R̥gvedic present and aorist, S̓-Gravenhage, Mouton, page 43:
(countable, qualifier:actuarial science, uncountable) The annualized instantaneous rate of change at a particular timepoint.
- force of mortality

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
forces	Number=Plur		lexicographic

pound (Imperial unit) · newton (metric unit) · poundal (Imperial unit)

Synonyms

factor · influence · influence · factor · pressure · effect · pressure · police force

Translations (369)

mr प्रबळ (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · he כוח (physical quantity) · cy grym (physical quantity) · ka ძალა (physical quantity) · mk сила (law: legal validity) · pdt Krauft (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · io koakto (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi väki (strength or energy of body or mind) · lt galia (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · nl macht (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · fi pakko (power exerted against will or consent) · agj ሀይል (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ru си́ла (physical quantity) · es fuerza (power exerted against will or consent) · lt jėga (physical quantity) · ur زور (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mk сила (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · id kakas (physical quantity) · uk си́ла (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · lv spēks (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pl moc (law: legal validity) · gd cumhachd (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · la potentia (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · fr Force (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · fi pakottaminen (power exerted against will or consent) · no styrke (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · lld forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pl siła (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · vec forsa (physical quantity) · hu erősség (physical quantity) · mr बळ (physical quantity) · la potentia (physical quantity) · kaa kúsh (physical quantity) · la vis (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · qu kallpa (physical quantity) · es polenta (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · pt força (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · nl macht (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · ms daya (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · uz kuch (physical quantity) · ar قُوَّة (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · de Kraft (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · hu kényszer (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · ar قُوَّة (strength or energy of body or mind) · hu hatály (law: legal validity) · ba көс (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · sa सहस् (strength or energy of body or mind) · it forza (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · ia fortia (physical quantity) · fur fuarce (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · vi vũ lực (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · ru си́ла (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · el δύναμη (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · mr प्रबळ गट (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · fi voimakeinot (power exerted against will or consent) · ru сила (power exerted against will or consent) · ka ძალა (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ka ძალა (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · ga fórsa (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ru отря́д (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hu hatalom (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · vec forsa (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ga fórsa (power exerted against will or consent) · rm forza (physical quantity) · co forza (physical quantity) · ru трюк (type of magic trick) · sk sila (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · hi बल (strength or energy of body or mind) · war kusog (physical quantity) · ga fórsa (strength or energy of body or mind) · uk си́ла (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · nl macht (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · sl moč (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ml ശക്തി (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mr जबरदस्ती (power exerted against will or consent) · hu erő (physical quantity) · bg действие (law: legal validity) · ru си́ла (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · mk насилство (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · mi tūkeri (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · da kraft (physical quantity) · av гуч (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · nap fuorza (physical quantity) · mi tōpana (physical quantity) · orv сила (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pl siła (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · nl troep (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · tr kuvvet (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · be сі́ла (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · it forza (physical quantity) · io vigoro (physical quantity) · ka ძალა (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hu erő (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ms kuasa (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · bg сила (physical quantity) · tl isig (physical quantity) · rm forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sk sila (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · cu сила (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi voima (power exerted against will or consent) · pap forsa (strength or energy of body or mind) · fi pakkokeinot (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · az güc (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · nl kracht (law: legal validity) · am ኀይል (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · bn জোর (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi voimankäyttö (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · da styrke (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · id forsa (physical quantity) · no tvang (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · bho जोर (physical quantity) · oc fòrça (physical quantity) · fi voima (physical quantity) · el ισχύς (law: legal validity) · vec força (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ja フォース (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · pt força (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mk сила (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · el ισχύς (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ky күч (physical quantity) · no styrke (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · fi voimassaolo (law: legal validity) · fi voima (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · hy զինված ուժեր (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · sw mabavu (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · nap fuorza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ist forsa (physical quantity) · ms daya (physical quantity) · da magt (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · jje 심 (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · uk сила (law: legal validity) · wa foice (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · ota مكنت (strength or energy of body or mind) · ang nīed (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · no kraft (physical quantity) · he כח (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · oc fòrça (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mn хүч (physical quantity) · io trupi (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · ast fuerza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sh sȉla (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · cmn 武力 (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · io forco (physical quantity) · pdt Krauft (strength or energy of body or mind) · ang nīed (power exerted against will or consent) · hi बल (physical quantity) · uk чинність (law: legal validity) · sh mȏć (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ga fórsa (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · nl kracht (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sn manikidzo (physical quantity) · ko 힘 (physical quantity) · ka ღონე (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · hu kényszerítés (power exerted against will or consent) · hu csapat (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hu kényszerítés (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · vec força (physical quantity) · mr मनःशक्ती (strength or energy of body or mind) · av къуват (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sv kraft (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · hu erő (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · mi ākinga (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · ga éifeacht (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · pl moc (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sa रभस् (power exerted against will or consent) · ja 力 (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pt força (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · hi बल (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · la vīs (strength or energy of body or mind) · fi pakko (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · mhn kròft (strength or energy of body or mind) · lld forza (physical quantity) · hy զորություն (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi voima (linguistics: ability of an utterance to effect a given meaning) · orv мочь (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ja 強制 (power exerted against will or consent) · hu sereg (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · es fuerza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ba көс (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · fr force (physical quantity) · om humna (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fur fuarce (physical quantity) · lv vara (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ro forță (physical quantity) · hu érvény (law: legal validity) · vi thần lực (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · ota مكنت (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · io mov-energio (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · mr जोर (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · la potentia (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pdt Krauft (physical quantity) · id kekuatan (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mk полнова́жност (law: legal validity) · de Kraft (physical quantity) · new तिबः (physical quantity) · sk moc (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mi tūkeri (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · es fuerza (strength or energy of body or mind) · de Macht (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · gu બળ (physical quantity) · de Kräfte (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · uk міць (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ru сила (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · hu erő (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · scn forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · es ñeque (strength or energy of body or mind) · lt jėga (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · nan-hbl 力 (physical quantity) · ga fórsa (physical quantity) · es fuerza (physical quantity) · gl forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mr बळ (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · nl truc (type of magic trick) · ko 힘 (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ota طاقت (strength or energy of body or mind) · he כוח \ כֹּחַ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ast fuercia (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ba ғәмәл (law: legal validity) · pt validade (law: legal validity) · el δύναμη (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · wal wolqqaa (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · bg сила (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · el σθένος (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi voima (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sk sila (anything that has the power to produce an effect upon something else) · sl sila (physical quantity) · ru сила (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · bn বল (physical quantity) · hy ուժեր (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · vi lực lượng (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · gl forza (physical quantity) · fi voima (law: legal validity) · ro forță (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi valta (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · ist forsa (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · hu különítmény (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hak 力 (physical quantity) · pt força (physical quantity) · so quwad (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · vi lực (physical quantity) · id gaya (physical quantity) · ar قُوَّة (physical quantity) · hu kényszer (power exerted against will or consent) · fi joukot (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hif taagat (physical quantity) · ja 力 (strength or energy of body or mind) · eo perforto (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · no kraft (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · bg насилие (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · uk загі́н (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hu egység (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · nl kracht (physical quantity) · sh мо̑ћ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ca força (physical quantity) · ru власть (law: legal validity) · fi pakkokeinot (power exerted against will or consent) · mk сила (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · th แรง (physical quantity) · jv ꦝꦪ (physical quantity) · scn forza (physical quantity) · inh низ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · pl siły (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · uk си́ла (physical quantity) · ba көс (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sk sila (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · lt galia (physical quantity) · io violento (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fr force (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · de Kraft (strength or energy of body or mind) · sl sila (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mk сила (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · sq fuqi (physical quantity) · fr pouvoir (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · hu erő (strength or energy of body or mind) · hy ուժ (physical quantity) · tl puwersa (physical quantity) · da kraft (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · wa foice (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · uk сила (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · hu erő (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · ml ബലം (physical quantity) · af krag (physical quantity) · kk пәрмен (strength or energy of body or mind) · nl geweld (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · ba ҡеүәт (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · ru мощь (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ota قوت (strength or energy of body or mind) · mba kusug (physical quantity) · fi tarmo (strength or energy of body or mind) · be моц (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · su gaya (physical quantity) · sk sila (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · pl siła (physical quantity) · sv kraft (physical quantity) · it forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · hi ज़ोर (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · cs síla (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ba көс (physical quantity) · fi pakottaminen (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · sk sila (strength or energy of body or mind) · tr kuvvet (physical quantity) · fi voima (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · fa نیرو (physical quantity) · bg войска (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · sk sila (physical quantity) · si බලය (physical quantity) · bg си́ла (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · gez ኀይል (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · la vis (physical quantity) · fi voimat (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · cs síla (physical quantity) · el σώμα (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · hu erőszak (power exerted against will or consent) · ca força (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ja 力 (physical quantity) · fi voimakeinot (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · fi voima (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · ckb ھێز (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · sa परस्परक्रिया (physical quantity) · de Gewalt (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · fi voima (strength or energy of body or mind) · kk күш (physical quantity) · lv spēks (physical quantity) · hy ուժ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ru си́ла (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · fr forces (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · cs moc (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · el δύναμη (physical quantity) · sk platnosť (law: legal validity) · pt força (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · hu hadsereg (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · ml ബലം (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ang cræft (strength or energy of body or mind) · cu мощь (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · tr zorlamak (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · lez гуж (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · el βία (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · fr truc (type of magic trick) · ru сила (strength or energy of body or mind) · lez къуват (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · ru наси́лие (law: unlawful violence or lawful compulsion) · wa foice (physical quantity) · sv styrka (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · sh си̏ла (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · az qüvvə (physical quantity) · hu érvényesség (law: legal validity) · eu indar (physical quantity) · yo ipá (physical quantity) · ckb زەبر (power exerted against will or consent) · la vis (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · hi बल (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · el κύρος (law: legal validity) · mk сила (physical quantity) · ja 勢力 (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · bg мощ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sk sila (science fiction: binding, metaphysical, and ubiquitous power) · mk моќ (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · az qüvvə (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · sk sila (power exerted against will or consent) · hu képesség (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · co forza (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · as বল (physical quantity) · eo forto (ability to attack, control, or constrain) · ru дурь (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · la fortitudo (anything that is able to make a big change in person or thing) · mr शरीरउर्जा (strength or energy of body or mind) · hu haderő (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain) · grc βία (power exerted against will or consent) · hu osztag (group that aims to attack, control, or constrain)

wikidata: Q11402 · wikidata: Q11402 · wikidata: Q11402 · wikidata: Q11402 · wikidata: Q11402

force en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

/foɹs/ (General-American)
/foəs/ (Eastern-New-England)
/foːs/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
/foɾs/ (Scotland)
[fo̞ɹs] (General-American)
fôrs (General-American)
fōrs without the horse–hoarse merger
/fɔəs/ (Received-Pronunciation, obsolete)
/fɔːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/foɹs/ early 20th century General American, near-obsolete
(US) audio
/fɒ(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
/fɔːs/ Manchester
/foː(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia)

Etymology

From Middle English forcen, from Old French forcier, from Late Latin *fortiāre, from Latin fortia.

Meanings

(transitive) To make someone or something do something, often regardless of their will.
- Housebuilders had warned that the higher costs involved would have forced them to build fewer homes and priced many homebuyers out of the market. 2011 March 23, Tim Webb, Fiona Harvey, The Guardian:
- Captain Edward Carlisle[…]felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,[…]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard. 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
- The hourly Southampton to London Victoria service via Horsham has been axed, as has the direct Littlehampton-Bognor Regis service, forcing passengers to change [trains] at Barnham. 2024 March 6, “Network News: Southern revises Coastway service”, in RAIL, number 1004, page 12:
- The second problem is the economy, the shocking state of which has forced the decision to apply to the EU. 2009 July 23, “All things to Althingi”, in The Economist:
(transitive) To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of.
- Shall wee force the general law of nature, which in all living creatures under heaven is seene to tremble at paine? 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 40, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book I, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
(transitive) To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb).
- In a groundbreaking move, the Pentagon is compensating servicemen seriously hurt when an American tank convoy forced them off the road. 2007 November 4, The Guardian:
- to force the tyrant from his seat by war c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
- It stuck so fast, so deeply buried lay / That scarce the victor forced the steel away. 1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
- Ethelbert […]ordered that none should be forced into religion. 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
(transitive) To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force.
- The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then.
- Janet Tobacman of Woman Organized for Reproductive Choice (WORC) in Chicago and New Jewish Agenda stated, "R2N2 needs omre discussion and action around sexuality in general," forcing a concern that had little discussion throughout the conference. 1982 December 4, Sharon Page, “R2N2 Conference: Revitalizing the Movement”, in Gay Community News, volume 10, number 20, page 3:
(transitive) To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.).
- I forgot my keys in and so we had to force (open) the door.
(transitive) To violate (a woman); to rape.
- For yf ye were suche fyfty as ye be / ye were not able to make resystence ageynst this deuyl / here lyeth a duchesse deede the whiche was the fayrest of alle the world wyf to syre Howel / duc of Bretayne / he hath murthred her in forcynge her / and has slytte her vnto the nauyl 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter V, in Le Morte Darthur, book V:
- a young woman not farre from mee had headlong cast her selfe out of a high window, with intent to kill herselfe, only to avoid the ravishment of a rascally-base souldier that lay in her house, who offered to force her[…]. 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 1, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
(intransitive, obsolete, reflexive) To exert oneself, to do one's utmost.
- And I pray you for my sake to force yourselff there, that men may speke you worshyp. 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum xxi”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book XVIII, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.
(transitive) To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground.
- Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag.
To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold.
(archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
- VVhat can the Church force more? 1612–1613 (date written), John Webster, The Tragedy of the Dutchesse of Malfy. […], London: […] Nicholas Okes, for Iohn Waterson, […], published 1623, →OCLC, Act I, scene ii:
(archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
- Were they not forc’d with thoſe that ſhould be ours, / We might haue met them darefull, beard to beard, / And beate them backward home. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 150, column 1, lines 5–7:
(obsolete) To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
- For me, I force not argument a straw. 1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto), London: […] Richard Field, for Iohn Harrison, […], →OCLC:
To grow (rhubarb) in the dark, causing it to grow early.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
forcest	Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Pres	archaic	lexicographic
forcedst	Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Past	archaic	lexicographic
forced	Number=Plur, Tense=Past		lexicographic
forced	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Past		lexicographic
forced	Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Past		lexicographic
forced	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
forced	Mood=Sub, Tense=Past		lexicographic
forced	Number=Sing, Person=1, Tense=Past		lexicographic
forced	Tense=Past		lexicographic
force	Number=Plur, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
force	VerbForm=Inf		lexicographic
force	Mood=Sub, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
force	Number=Sing, Person=1, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
force	Mood=Imp, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
force	Number=Sing, Person=2, Tense=Pres		lexicographic
forcing	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part		lexicographic
forceth	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	archaic	lexicographic
forces	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres		lexicographic

Deriveds

enforce · action-forcing · force the voucher · force the pace · force someone's hand · force one's way · force down someone's throat · love cannot be forced · forcible · force quit · force out · force someone's back to the wall · forceful

To control by force (coerce)

Synonyms

abuse · ravish · rape · dishonour · constuprate · defile · r-word · defile · pollute · thrust · abuse · ravage · thrust · viole · oppress · turn out · outrage · violate · outrage · defoul · grape · scotch · force · misuse · vitiate

Translations (147)

th บังคับ (to compel someone to do something) · ja 強いる (to compel someone to do something) · hy հարկադրել (to compel someone to do something) · grc ἀναγκάζω (to compel someone to do something) · sh си̏лити (to compel someone to do something) · mi kōara (to forcibly open) · pt compelir (to compel someone to do something) · gl forzar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · sk donútiť (to compel someone to do something) · bg заста́вям (to compel someone to do something) · cs přinutit (to compel someone to do something) · ar أَجْبَرَ (to compel someone to do something) · pt forçar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ro supune (to compel someone to do something) · gl obrigar (to compel someone to do something) · sk nútiť (to compel someone to do something) · hu erőltet (to compel someone to do something) · fi murtaa (to forcibly open) · oc forçar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · cmn 迫 (to compel someone to do something) · sh прѝсилити (to compel someone to do something) · ro forța (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ko 강요하다 (to compel someone to do something) · be зму́сіць (to compel someone to do something) · hu kierőszakol (to cause to occur, produce through force) · la cōgō (to cause to occur, produce through force) · mk тера (to compel someone to do something) · fi pakottaa (to compel someone to do something) · it forzare (to forcibly open) · lt priversti (to compel someone to do something) · bg насилвам (to cause to occur, produce through force) · eo devigi (to compel someone to do something) · fi avata väkisin (to forcibly open) · hu feltör (to forcibly open) · ru заста́вить (to compel someone to do something) · es forzar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · la obligo (to compel someone to do something) · ast forciar (to compel someone to do something) · de zwingen (to compel someone to do something) · lv piespiest (to compel someone to do something) · de erzwingen (to cause to occur, produce through force) · fi polttaa (baseball: to create an out by touching a base) · lt versti (to compel someone to do something) · sh присиља́вати (to compel someone to do something) · mk присилува (to compel someone to do something) · nl forceren (to cause to occur, produce through force) · el αναγκάζω (to compel someone to do something) · got 𐌰𐌽𐌰𐌵𐌹𐌿𐌾𐌰𐌽 (to compel someone to do something) · bg заста́вя (to compel someone to do something) · fi tehdä kaikkensa (to do one's utmost) · ar اِضْطَرَّ (to compel someone to do something) · vec forsar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ru прину́дить (to compel someone to do something) · fi pakottaa (to cause to occur, produce through force) · hu ráerőszakol (to compel someone to do something) · be змуша́ць (to compel someone to do something) · tr zorlamak (to forcibly open) · es forcejar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · mg mahatonga (to cause to occur, produce through force) · sh prìsiliti (to compel someone to do something) · cmn 逼 (to compel someone to do something) · es violentar (to forcibly open) · nl dwingen tot (to compel someone to do something) · no tvinge (to compel someone to do something) · uk зму́шувати (to compel someone to do something) · pt obrigar (to compel someone to do something) · bg прину́дя (to compel someone to do something) · th ฝืน (to cause to occur, produce through force) · nrf forchi (to compel someone to do something) · grc βιάζω (to compel someone to do something) · pl zmusić (to compel someone to do something) · nrf forchi (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ceb lugos (to compel someone to do something) · cmn 迫使 (to compel someone to do something) · hu rákényszerít (to compel someone to do something) · es descerrajar (to forcibly open) · mk принудува (to compel someone to do something) · nl overweldigen (to compel someone to do something) · fi pakottaa (to drive by force) · arz اجبر (to compel someone to do something) · hu forszíroz (to cause to occur, produce through force) · hu kicsikar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ka იძულებულს ხდის (to compel someone to do something) · it forzare (to cause to occur, produce through force) · mg manery (to compel someone to do something) · sv tvinga (to compel someone to do something) · cmn 逼迫 (to compel someone to do something) · yue 逼 (to compel someone to do something) · hu erőltet (to cause to occur, produce through force) · be прыму́сіць (to compel someone to do something) · got 𐌱𐌰𐌹𐌳𐌾𐌰𐌽 (to compel someone to do something) · hu kifeszít (to forcibly open) · sk prinútiť (to compel someone to do something) · fr contraindre (to compel someone to do something) · hy ստիպել (to compel someone to do something) · pl zmuszać (to compel someone to do something) · hy հարկադրել (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ast forciar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ro violenta (to compel someone to do something) · es violentar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · cmn 脅迫 /胁迫 (to compel someone to do something) · cmn 強迫 /强迫 (to compel someone to do something) · ro forța (to compel someone to do something) · hu kényszerít (to cause to occur, produce through force) · cs nutit (to compel someone to do something) · bg принужда́вам (to compel someone to do something) · mk сили (to cause to occur, produce through force) · hu kikényszerít (to cause to occur, produce through force) · ru принужда́ть (to compel someone to do something) · fi ottaa väkisin (to obtain by strength) · vi bắt (to compel someone to do something) · cs donutit (to compel someone to do something) · fr forcer (to cause to occur, produce through force) · no påtvinge (to cause to occur, produce through force) · hy բռնանալ (to compel someone to do something) · uk приму́сити (to compel someone to do something) · sh sȉliti (to compel someone to do something) · svs fosi (to compel someone to do something) · es forzar (to forcibly open) · uk приму́шувати (to compel someone to do something) · be прымуша́ць (to compel someone to do something) · hi विवश करना (to compel someone to do something) · hu kényszerít (to compel someone to do something) · fr forcer (to compel someone to do something) · eo trudi (to compel someone to do something) · et sundima (to compel someone to do something) · ang nīedan (to compel someone to do something) · sh prisiljávati (to compel someone to do something) · da tvinge (to compel someone to do something) · et sundima (to cause to occur, produce through force) · te బలాత్కరించు (to compel someone to do something) · ca forçar (to cause to occur, produce through force) · nl branden (baseball: to create an out by touching a base) · hu felfeszít (to forcibly open) · ru заставля́ть (to compel someone to do something) · pt forçar (to compel someone to do something) · ast forciar (to forcibly open) · fi pakottaa (to constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of) · it costringere (to compel someone to do something) · uk зму́сити (to compel someone to do something) · vi ép (to compel someone to do something) · tr zorlamak (to compel someone to do something) · it forzare (to compel someone to do something) · nl afdwingen (to cause to occur, produce through force) · da fremtvinge (to cause to occur, produce through force) · pt arrombar (to forcibly open) · ca forçar (to compel someone to do something)

force en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

/foɹs/ (General-American)
/foəs/ (Eastern-New-England)
/foːs/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
/foɾs/ (Scotland)
[fo̞ɹs] (General-American)
fôrs (General-American)
fōrs without the horse–hoarse merger
/fɔəs/ (Received-Pronunciation, obsolete)
/fɔːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/foɹs/ early 20th century General American, near-obsolete
(US) audio
/fɒ(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
/fɔːs/ Manchester
/foː(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia)

Etymology

From Middle English force, forz, fors, from Old Norse fors (“waterfall”), from Proto-Germanic *fursaz (“waterfall”). Cognate with Icelandic foss (“waterfall”), Norwegian foss (“waterfall”), Swedish fors (“waterfall”). Doublet of foss.

Meanings

(Northern-England, countable) A waterfall or cascade.
- to see the falls or force of the river Kent 1778, Thomas West, A Guide to the Lakes in Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
forces	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Deriveds

forcefall

force en · VERB · etymology 4

Pronunciation

/foɹs/ (General-American)
/foəs/ (Eastern-New-England)
/foːs/ (Australia, British, New-Zealand, Southern, Standard)
/foɾs/ (Scotland)
[fo̞ɹs] (General-American)
fôrs (General-American)
fōrs without the horse–hoarse merger
/fɔəs/ (Received-Pronunciation, obsolete)
/fɔːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
/foɹs/ early 20th century General American, near-obsolete
(US) audio
/fɒ(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
/fɔːs/ Manchester
/foː(ɾ)s/ (South-Asia)

Etymology

From Middle English forcen, forsen, a use of force, with confusion of farce (“to stuff”).

Meanings

To stuff; to lard; to farce.
- Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit. c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
forced	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
forced	Tense=Past	lexicographic
forces	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic
forcing	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic

Deriveds

forcemeat

Dictionary

force en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Coordinates

Deriveds

Hyponyms

Relateds

Synonyms

Translations (369)

force en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Relateds

Synonyms

Translations (147)

force en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

force en · VERB · etymology 4

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds