forcing

verb

present participle of force
1
as in coercing
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in violating
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 forcing Jones wanted to show that despite her stern attitude with John and forcing him to grow up, her love for her child always comes through. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 However, analysts warn that the plans will likely take years to come to fruition, forcing countries to seek immediate alternatives elsewhere. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026 The same waters that are bringing dolphins to the Long Island Sound, are forcing other species out due to temperature changes. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 But forcing heavy steel trains onto a floating highway that rolls, sways, and shifts with the tides was widely considered an invitation to disaster. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026 Young people armed with machetes stormed the site of the funeral, forcing the team to flee and injuring one member, a representative told the Associated Press. — Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 But the coyote has other plans and rips it up, forcing the matter to trial. — ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 In principle, the Supreme Court supplies general drag, forcing whichever party is in power to contend with Justices appointed by previous Administrations. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Iranian news agency Rokna reported that people in Tehran said some petrol stations had no gas available, forcing them to temporarily close, while other stations had long lines on Monday and Tuesday. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forcing
  1. coercing
  2. violating
  3. compelling
  4. raping
  5. obligating
  6. assaulting
  7. obliging
  8. pressuring
Verb
  • But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The losses exceed the number of fresh recruits that Moscow can muster, and Russian authorities are coercing men into signing up.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of coercing
Verb
  • The Seoul Central District Court convicted Han, widow of church founder Sun Myung Moon, of violating the political funds act, bribery and embezzling church funds, the court said in a statement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The bill also increases the maximum penalties for violating local fireworks ordinances to $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for each additional offense within five years of the first.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of violating
Verb
  • The state’s campaign watchdog can seek a court order compelling an influencer to disclose that they were paid, but that can take months.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This trend could displace hundreds of thousands of older adults, compelling them to select new Medicare Advantage plans.
    — Bruce Japsen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • Baltimore police officer Daniel Oxendine has been arrested and charged with raping a woman while on duty.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California in April after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them.
    — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of raping
Verb
  • Your 11th House of Friends lights up as the life-giving Sun energizes that area, squaring obligating Saturn in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026
  • The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.
    — Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Definition of obligating
Verb
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The man is being charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, according to Windsor Police.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of assaulting
Verb
  • First is to prevent their further migration by enforcing an international treaty obliging national authorities to treat ballast waters inside incoming ships that may carry such species.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
  • There is no contract obliging a customer to buy a second bottle of wine, a second pair of running shoes, or a second box of protein powder.
    — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of obliging
Verb
  • Araghchi also called on the United States to halt efforts aimed at pressuring third countries and companies to reduce economic ties with Iran.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts pointed to worries about its sales of personal computers, as well as how higher prices for computer memory and other commodities are pressuring its profit margins.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressuring

Browse Nearby Words

forcibly
forcing
ford
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Cite this Entry

“Forcing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forcing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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