forced

1 of 2

adjective

ˈfȯrst How to pronounce forced (audio)
Synonyms of forcednext
1
: compelled by force or necessity : involuntary
a forced landing
2
: done or produced with effort, exertion, or pressure
a forced laugh
forcedly
ˈfȯr-səd-lē How to pronounce forced (audio)
adverb

forced

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of force entry 2

Synonyms of forced

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Adjective

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Examples of forced in a Sentence

Adjective forced payment of membership dues wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Complications from forced sterilization may occur and result in death. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 And everybody, ranging from workers in forced labor, to communities next to a polluted lake, to the companies that are less prepared to operate in a volatile and uncertain world, are paying the bill. — Ben Vanpeperstraete, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 Late last week, the urgent selling in semiconductors and data-center equities and debt resembled the sort of forced-unwind rhythms from July, when a big upstart tech hedge fund was in the process of being all but liquidated. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 Lanterns works so well in part because it was conceived as a standalone complete story, albeit one with ramifications for future DCU projects, thereby freeing up the writers to create something truly unique, with no forced, awkward tie-ins. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forced

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forced was circa 1537

Phrases Containing forced

Rhymes for forced

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Browse Nearby Words

force cup
forced
forced draft
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Cite this Entry

“Forced.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forced. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forced

adjective
ˈfō(ə)rst How to pronounce forced (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)rst
1
: caused or brought about by force or necessity : involuntary
made a forced landing
2
: done or produced with effort
a forced laugh
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