Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   force

   /fɔːs/

   noun

   • 1. strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement: "he was thrown backwards by the force of the explosion" Similar strengthpowerenergymightpotencyvigourmusclestaminaeffortexertionimpactpressureweightimpetusinformal:punchOpposite weakness
   • ▪ an influence tending to change the motion of a body or produce motion or stress in a stationary body. The magnitude of such an influence is often calculated by multiplying the mass of the body and its acceleration.
   • ▪ used with a number as a measure of wind strength on the Beaufort scale: "a force-nine gale"
   • 2. coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence: "they ruled by law and not by force" Similar coercioncompulsionconstraintduressoppressionenforcementharassmentintimidationthreatspressurepressurizationinfluenceviolenceforce majeureinformal:arm-twistingbadassery
   • 3. mental or moral strength or power: "the force of popular opinion" Similar intensityfeelingpassionvigourvigorousnessvehemencedrivefiercenessvividnessimpactinformal:pizzazzoomphzingzipzappunchOpposite shallowness
   • ▪ a person or thing regarded as exerting power or influence: "he might still be a force for peace and unity" Similar agencypowerinfluenceinstrumentvehiclemeanscauseeffect
   • ▪ the powerful effect of something: "the Committee accepted the force of this argument" Similar cogencyweighteffectivenessefficacyefficaciousnesssoundnessvaliditystrengthmightpowersignificanceinfluenceauthorityimpressivenesseloquencepersuasivenesscredibilityconclusivenesslogiclogicalityfoundationreasonablenesscoherenceinformal:bitepunchOpposite weakness
   • 4. an organized body of military personnel or police: "a British peacekeeping force" Similar bodybody of peoplegroupoutfitpartyteamcorpsdetachmentunitsquadsquadroncompanybattaliondivisionpatrolregimentarmycohortinformal:bunch
   • ▪ troops and weaponry: "concealment from enemy forces"
   • ▪ the army, navy, and air force of a country. informal British
   • ▪ the police. informal British
   • ▪ a group of people brought together and organized for a particular activity: "a sales force"
   • 5. (in the Star Wars films) a mystical universal energy field which certain individuals, such as the Jedi, can harness to gain special powers or abilities: "Luke used the Force to draw his lightsabre to his hand"

   verb

   • 1. make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force: "the back door of the bank was forced" Similar break openforce openburst openprise openkick inknock downblastcrack
   • ▪ drive or push into a specified position or state using physical strength or against resistance: "thieves tried to force open the cash register" Similar propelpushthrustshovedrivepresspumpexpel
   • ▪ achieve or bring about (something) by effort: "Sabine forced a smile"
   • ▪ artificially hasten the development or maturity of (a plant). Similar extractelicitexactextortwrestwringwrenchdragscrewsqueezemilkinformal:bleed
   • 2. make (someone) do something against their will: "she was forced into early retirement" Similar compelcoercemakeconstrainobligeimpeldrivenecessitatepressurizepressurepresspushexert force onuse force onurge by forceuse duress onbring pressure to bear onpress-gangbrowbeatsteamrollerbullydragoonbludgeonterrorizemenaceinformal:put the squeeze onput the bite onput the screws ontighten the screws onlean ontwist someone's armuse strong-arm tactics onstrong-armrailroadbulldoze
   • ▪ put out (a runner) by necessitating an advance to the next base when it is not possible to do so safely.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French force (noun), forcer (verb), based on Latin fortis ‘strong’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. forceable adjective
   • 2. forcer noun

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • F

     4

   • O

     1

   • R

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points