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Definition force in British English

force verb

[transitive] verb
/fɔː(r)s/

➡ power

1

to make someone do something that they do not want to do, for example by using or threatening to use violence

Example

He claims that police officers forced him to sign a confession.

Example

Three judges have been forced to resign because of corruption scandals.

Example

Despite the pain, she forced herself to get out of bed.

Example

You can't force him into going out with you.

Example

Two men forced him into the back of the van.

Synonyms and related words
shanghai nag force
1.1

if an event or situation forces you to do something, you have to do it even if you do not want to

Example

Bad health forced her to abandon her studies.

Example

Lack of skills forces these young men into low-paid jobs.

Example

Falling sales eventually forced them out of business.

Synonyms and related words
shanghai nag force
2

to use physical force to move something in a particular direction

Example

She forced the package through the slot.

Example

Use a strong jet of water to force blockages out of the pipe.

Synonyms and related words
push shove heave
2.1

to use physical force to open something that is locked

Example

Police say the back window has been forced.

Example

We had to force the door open.

Example

If she doesn't have a key, we'll have to force the lock.

Synonyms and related words
open up open try
2.2

to use physical strength to move somewhere by pushing people or things away

Example

She had to force her way through the crowd.

Synonyms and related words
push shove heave
3

to make something happen

Example

Opposition to the plans forced a rapid reversal of policy.

Example

The Knicks scored in the closing seconds, forcing the game into overtime.

Synonyms and related words
catalyze bring about trigger
4

to make a plant grow faster than it would normally, for example by giving it extra heat or light

Synonyms and related words
aerate bed out bonsai
Definition force in British English

Related Words

Words related to force:

a force to be reckoned with (phrase) a moving (phrase) a spent force (phrase) air force (noun) Air Force One () army (noun) force of circumstances (phrase) centrifugal force (noun) centripetal force (noun) driving force (noun) expeditionary force (noun) force (noun) force (verb) force a (phrase) force back (phrasal verb) force down (phrasal verb) force majeure (noun) force on/upon (phrasal verb) force out of (phrasal verb) force someone’s hand (phrase) force the issue (phrase) force the pace (phrase) force through (phrasal verb) force up (phrasal verb) force-feed (verb) something down someone’s throat (phrase) gale-force (adjective) in force (phrase) labour force (noun) Marshal of the Royal Air Force (noun) police force (noun) Rapid Reaction Force (noun) sales force (noun) strike force (noun) task force (noun) force of habit (phrase) tour de force (noun)