third force
noun
: a grouping (as of political parties or international powers) intermediate between two opposing political forces
Examples of third force in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The third force may be the most important.
—
Dasha Shunina,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The resulting credit crunch in America pushed unemployment up to 20 percent and, with businesses failing all over the country, a new party, the Populist Party, which was determined to free the US dollar from the shackles of gold, began to mobilize as a third force in US politics.
—
David McWilliams,
Fortune,
16 Nov. 2025
Spain needs a third force because no other club in La Liga are remotely positioned to bother Madrid or Barcelona long term, and Saturday’s result should give Xabi Alonso pause for thought.
—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
While the frontrunners represent different sides of the country’s political establishment, a third force has emerged as a challenger in the election.
—
Julia Malleck,
Quartz,
11 May 2023
Obi, 61, has gained in popularity and is seen as the third force candidate that could emerge as leader.
—
Stephanie Busari,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2023
Of course, the AKPs founders, including the current prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, originally arose from a third force in Turkish politics -- Islamism.
—
Mustafa Akyol,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2010
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Dasha Shunina,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
The resulting credit crunch in America pushed unemployment up to 20 percent and, with businesses failing all over the country, a new party, the Populist Party, which was determined to free the US dollar from the shackles of gold, began to mobilize as a third force in US politics.
—
David McWilliams,
Fortune,
16 Nov. 2025
Spain needs a third force because no other club in La Liga are remotely positioned to bother Madrid or Barcelona long term, and Saturday’s result should give Xabi Alonso pause for thought.
—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
While the frontrunners represent different sides of the country’s political establishment, a third force has emerged as a challenger in the election.
—
Julia Malleck,
Quartz,
11 May 2023
Obi, 61, has gained in popularity and is seen as the third force candidate that could emerge as leader.
—
Stephanie Busari,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2023
Of course, the AKPs founders, including the current prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, originally arose from a third force in Turkish politics -- Islamism.
—
Mustafa Akyol,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Third force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20force. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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