forced 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfȯrst How to pronounce forced (audio)
Definition of forcednext
1
as in required
forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law forced payment of membership dues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in strained
lacking in natural or spontaneous quality wasn't thrilled with the suggestion and so responded with a forced smile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unwilling
not made or done willingly or by choice participation in the program was forced

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

forced

2 of 2

verb

past tense of force
1
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure the public outcry from the scandal forced the mayor to resign road construction forced them to take an alternate route

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violated
to engage in sexual activity and especially intercourse with a person unwilling or unable to give consent was accused of forcing a woman

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of forced
Adjective
The sparkle in her eyes had dulled and her smile seemed forced. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 One thing that makes Rodriguez such a great fit in what the Dolphins want to do defensively is his propensity to punch the ball out for forced fumbles. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
In the southern port city of Marseille, some shops and a municipal police station were damaged, while protesters briefly forced their way into the lobby of City Hall. — Sylvie Corbet, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026 Performers weren’t spared either, with several forced to perform in the rain without covering for both artists and their equipment. — Isabel Rivera, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forced
  1. required
  2. strained
  3. unwilling
  4. compelled
  5. violated
  6. compulsory
  7. mock
  8. coerced
Adjective
  • The agency said any contractor who has not completed required screening will not be authorized to perform mail-handling duties until those requirements are met.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • If the council follows staff’s recommendation during its Wednesday meeting, the project would retain its current approvals, subject to the required conditions.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that Harry's willingness to publicly discuss his strained family relationships only makes the royals more reluctant to extend an olive branch.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Other governments around the world are also feeling pressure because of high debt loads and strained budgets, including the United States.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • The National Federation of Federal Employees union said a survey of its members showed a large majority opposed the Agriculture Department reorganization plan and most were unwilling to relocate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Middle America Republicans haven’t been entirely unwilling to stay off the celebrity train themselves.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of unwilling
Verb
  • Doncic said there has always been something in him that compelled him to establish connections with fans.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • From the classic ‘Whodunit’ style to thrilling neonoirs, mystery novels have compelled readers to solve cases alongside detectives like Hercule Poirot.
    — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of compelled
Verb
  • In January, the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights concluded that the school violated Title IX over athletic participation, facilities and its response to complaints.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Unless disclosed to and approved by the US government and reported on his tax returns, Kushner’s access to the Alpha account may have violated US law.
    — Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of violated
Adjective
  • Ben-Gvir was considered so extreme that the Israeli military barred him from compulsory service.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have demanded a law to formalize the group's broad exemption from the draft, but one that would also determine a percentage of ultra-Orthodox men and women who would be subject to compulsory service.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • Other footage showed personnel practicing attacks against mock armored vehicles and defensive positions.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Lakers star waved his hand in mock disgust toward Hachimura.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • Her confession to murdering her 2-year-old daughter was coerced, and the district attorney who prosecuted her case was later convicted of bribery, extortion and other crimes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.
    — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of coerced

Browse Nearby Words

force
forced
force-fed
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Cite this Entry

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

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