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
In the early 1930s, the Pulitzer Prize–winning New York Times correspondent Walter Duranty wrote stories denying the famine that Joseph Stalin’s forced-collectivization policies were causing in Ukraine and mocked journalists who reported the truth. — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Hanoi has rejected the USTR’s findings as inaccurate, pointing to its strict anti-forced-labor policies and compliance with International Labour Organization rules. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
Verb
Earlier yesterday, Nepali and Chinese officials were forced to pull emergency crews out after the first lake surfaced. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Rural areas in particular have altogether lost their news sources, with many forced to shut down. — Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 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
  • Your school will apply the funds toward required costs like tuition and fees before sending any remaining amount to you.
    — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The economics behind that shift are already influencing how some large companies deploy AI, with businesses becoming increasingly selective in matching individual tasks to models based on cost and required performance.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Some are dealing with strained budgets and exorbitant medical bills, while others avoid the doctor in fear of the cost.
    — Ali Swenson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Based on a Naver Webtoon of the same name that has amassed almost 3 billion views, the 10-part series follows the strained relationship of the Empress Navier and her husband Emperor Sovieshu.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of strained
Adjective
  • The first-generation Apple Watch SE is a practical entry point for someone curious about the Apple Watch but unwilling to pay flagship prices.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Iranians have now discovered the power of their geography and seem unwilling to give up on controlling/administering the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of unwilling
Verb
  • Management also gave positive forward-looking guidance, marked by a record current quarter pipeline that compelled it to raise its full-year top-line growth forecast.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • If she were truly compelled by a voice, Sprague said, Clancy would have succeeded.
    — Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelled
Verb
  • The core of the Teamsters’ petition against the DMV is the claim that regulators violated the California Administrative Procedure Act by failing to complete an extensive study of the economic and practical impact of the policy change.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meta also lost a separate social-media case brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, after a court found that the company violated the state's child-safety laws and ordered it to pay over $900 million in penalties.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of violated
Adjective
  • Even though public schooling became compulsory in 1896, the language barrier and the remote location of many plantations led to gaps in access to these laborers’ formal education.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That set off both margin calls and compulsory sales at the fund.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsory
Adjective
  • The outfit consisted of a sleeveless, mock-neck blouse in mocha-brown, tucked into a tawny suede skirt that hit just above her ankles.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mirroring the look of King’s footwear, Osaka sported a metallic silver pleated top with a mock neckline and no sleeves.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mock
Verb
  • The inspection followed a hunger strike by detainees, who in a letter, complained about rotten or worm-infested food, medical neglect, and being coerced into signing deportation orders.
    — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In 1963, the Supreme Court banned confessions given under scopolamine and other truth-inducers as unconstitutionally coerced.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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