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   Force

   /fôrs/

   

   noun

   • 1. strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement: "he was thrown backward by the force of the explosion" Similar strengthpowerenergymightpotencyvigormusclestaminaeffortexertionimpactpressureweightimpetusinformal: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 by 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 intensityfeelingpassionvigorvigorousnessvehemencedrivefiercenessvividnessimpactinformal: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 force of her writing is undiminished" Similar cogencyweighteffectivenessefficacyefficaciousnesssoundnessvaliditystrengthmightpowersignificanceinfluenceauthorityimpressivenesseloquencepersuasivenesscredibilityconclusivenesslogiclogicalityfoundationreasonablenesscoherenceinformal:bitepunchOpposite weakness
   • 4. an organized body of military personnel or police: "a soldier in a UN peacekeeping force" Similar bodybody of peoplegroupoutfitpartyteamcorpsdetachmentunitsquadsquadroncompanybattaliondivisionpatrolregimentarmycohortinformal:bunch
   • ▪ troops and weaponry: "concealment from enemy forces"
   • ▪ a group of people brought together and organized for a particular activity: "a sales force"
   • ▪ a police department. informal
   • 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 lightsaber to his hand"
   • 6. a force-out.
   • ▪ a situation in which a force-out is possible.

   verb

   • 1. make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force: "they broke into Fred's house and forced every cupboard door with axe or crowbar" Similar break openforce openburst openprise openkick inknock downblastcrack
   • ▪ drive or push into a specified position or state using physical strength or against resistance: "she forced her feet into flat leather sandals" Similar propelpushthrustshovedrivepresspumpexpel
   • ▪ achieve or bring about (something) by coercion or effort: "Sabine forced a smile"
   • ▪ push or strain (something) to the utmost: "she knew if she forced it she would rip it"
   • ▪ 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), or cause (a runner) to be put out, at the base to which they are advancing when they are forced to run on a batted ball: "I was forced at second base as the first half of a double play"
   • ▪ (in cards) make a play or bid that compels another player to make (a particular response); make a play or bid that compels (another player) to make such a response: "East could force declarer to ruff another spade"

   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

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   • O

     1

   • R

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   • C

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   • E

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