force
forced; forces; forcing
Force describes a physical energy that can be seen or felt. If you've ever walked outside in a blizzard, you've experienced the force, or strength, of the wind. May the force be with you!
Force has other meanings as well. A powerful person can exert a force just by using particular words or body language. Written words can exert a force, or have a strong influence, on your opinion. As a verb, force means to make something happen using physical strength or some other powerful effort, which is what you do when you try to force a square peg into a round hole through vigorous pounding. And of course, in the Star Wars movie franchise, the force refers to the mystical energy contained in all living things. May that definition of this word always be with you.
Definitions of force
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(physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity“force equals mass times acceleration”
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types:
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aerodynamic force
forces acting on airfoils in motion relative to the air (or other gaseous fluids)
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affinity, chemical attraction
the force attracting atoms to each other and binding them together in a molecule
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attraction, attractive force
the force by which one object attracts another
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repulsion, repulsive force
the force by which bodies repel one another
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centrifugal force
the outward force on a body moving in a curved path around another body
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centripetal force
the inward force on a body moving in a curved path around another body
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cohesion
(physics) the intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid
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Coriolis force
(physics) a force due to the earth's rotation; acts on a body in motion (airplane or projectile) in a rotating reference frame; in a rotating frame of reference Newton's second law of motion can be made to apply if in addition to the real forces acting on a body a Coriolis force and a centrifugal force are introduced
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drift, impetus, impulsion
a force that moves something along
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Lorentz force
the force experienced by a point charge moving along a wire that is in a magnetic field; the force is at right angles to both the current and the magnetic field
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moment
a turning force produced by an object acting at a distance (or a measure of that force)
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propulsion
a propelling force
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pull
the force used in pulling
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push, thrust
the force used in pushing
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reaction
(mechanics) the equal and opposite force that is produced when any force is applied to a body
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stress
(physics) force that produces strain on a physical body
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torque, torsion
a twisting force
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magnetomotive force
the force that produces magnetic flux
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elan vital, life force, vital force, vitality
(biology) a hypothetical force (not physical or chemical) once thought by Henri Bergson to cause the evolution and development of organisms
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aerodynamic lift, lift
the component of the aerodynamic forces acting on an airfoil that opposes gravity
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affinity
(immunology) the attraction between an antigen and an antibody
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bond, chemical bond
an electrical force linking atoms
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gravitation, gravitational attraction, gravitational force, gravity
(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
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moment of inertia
the tendency of a body to resist angular acceleration
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magnetic attraction, magnetic force, magnetism
attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force
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moment of a couple
given two equal and opposite forces, the product of the force and the distance between them
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dipole moment
the moment of a dipole
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magnetic moment, moment of a magnet
the torque exerted on a magnet or dipole when it is placed in a magnetic field
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nuclear propulsion
the use of a nuclear reactor either to produce electricity to power an engine (as in a nuclear submarine) or to directly heat a propellant (as in nuclear rockets)
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reaction propulsion
propulsion that results from the ejection at high velocity of a mass of gas to which the vehicle reacts with an equal and opposite momentum
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tension
(physics) a stress that produces an elongation of an elastic physical body
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breaking point
the degree of tension or stress at which something breaks
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van der Waal's forces
relatively weak attraction between neutral atoms and molecules arising from polarization induced in each particle by the presence of other particles
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type of:
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physical phenomenon
a natural phenomenon involving the physical properties of matter and energy
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physical energy or intensity“he hit with all the force he could muster”
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synonyms:
forcefulness, strength
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types:
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brunt
main force of a blow, etc,
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impulse, momentum
an impelling force or strength
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energy, vigor, vigour, zip
forceful exertion
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athleticism, strenuosity
intense energy
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type of:
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intensity, intensiveness
high level or degree; the property of being intense
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a powerful effect or influence“the force of his eloquence easily persuaded them”
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pressure
a force that compels
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duress
compulsory force or threat
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heartbeat
an animating or vital unifying force
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lifeblood
an essential or life-giving force
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wheel
forces that provide energy and direction
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type of:
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influence
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
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one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority“may the force be with you”“the forces of evil”
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synonyms:
power
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types:
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juggernaut, steamroller
a massive inexorable force that seems to crush everything in its way
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influence, influencer
one having power to influence another
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Moloch
a tyrannical power to be propitiated by human subservience or sacrifice
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type of:
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causal agency, causal agent, cause
any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
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juggernaut, steamroller
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(of a law) having legal validity
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an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)“he may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one”
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synonyms:
violence
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types:
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domestic violence
violence or physical abuse directed toward your spouse or domestic partner; usually violence by men against women
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road rage
violence exhibited by drivers in traffic
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public violence, riot
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
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race riot
a riot caused by hatred for one another of members of different races in the same community
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type of:
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aggression, hostility
violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked
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cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
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turn up the heat, turn up the pressure
apply great or increased pressure
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drive
compel or force or urge relentlessly or exert coercive pressure on, or motivate strongly
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bludgeon
overcome or coerce as if by using a heavy club
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steamroll, steamroller
bring to a specified state by overwhelming force or pressure
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squeeze for
squeeze someone for money, information, etc.
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dragoon, railroad, sandbag
compel by coercion, threats, or crude means
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terrorise, terrorize
coerce by violence or with threats
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bring oneself
cause to undertake a certain action, usually used in the negative
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force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically
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do forcibly; exert force“Don't force it!”
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types:
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pull
apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
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twist, wrench
twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates
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gather
draw and bring closer
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attract
exert a force on (a body) causing it to approach or prevent it from moving away
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hike up, hitch up
pull up
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pick at, pluck at, pull at
pluck or pull at with the fingers
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draw back, pull back, retract
use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
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draw close
pull towards oneself
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urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
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impose urgently, importunately, or inexorably
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move with force
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synonyms:
push
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push
press against forcefully without moving
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Antonyms:
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draw, pull
cause to move by pulling
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pull
apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
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draw, pull
cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense
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types:
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nudge, poke at, prod
push against gently
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press, push
make strenuous pushing movements during birth to expel the baby
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beat back, drive, force back, push back, repel, repulse
cause to move back by force or influence
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shove
push roughly
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flick, jerk
throw or toss with a quick motion
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jostle, shove
come into rough contact with while moving
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nose
push or move with the nose
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obtrude, push out, thrust out
push to thrust outward
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push aside, push away
push out of the way
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muscle into
force one's way
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push up
push upward
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thrust
push forcefully
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drive
urge forward
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jam
push down forcibly
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shove, squeeze, stuff, thrust
press or force
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tip, topple, tumble
cause to topple or tumble by pushing
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dig, jab, poke, prod, stab
poke or thrust abruptly
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jab, stab
stab or pierce
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jog
give a slight push to
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shoulder
push with the shoulders
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elbow
shove one's elbow into another person's ribs
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boost
push or shove upward, as if from below or behind
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drive, ram
force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically
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pound, ram, ram down
strike or drive against with a heavy impact
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punch
drive forcibly as if by a punch
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uplift
lift up or elevate
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boost up
push upward
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elbow
push one's way with the elbows
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shoulder in
push one's way in with one's shoulders
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dig
thrust down or into
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mush
drive (a team of dogs or a dogsled)
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push
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cause to move by pulling
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pull
apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
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draw, pull
cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense
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Antonyms:
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push
move with force, "He pushed the table into a corner"
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push
press against forcefully without moving
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types:
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twitch
move or pull with a sudden motion
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pull back
move to a rearward position; pull towards the back
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adduct
draw a limb towards the body
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abduct
pull away from the body
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stretch
pull in opposite directions
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pick, pluck, plunk
pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
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tug
pull or strain hard at
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drag
pull, as against a resistance
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cart, drag, hale, haul
draw slowly or heavily
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attract, draw, draw in, pull, pull in
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
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jerk, yank
pull, or move with a sudden movement
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winch
pull or lift up with or as if with a winch
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pick off, pluck, pull off, tweak
pull or pull out sharply
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draw, pull back
stretch back a bowstring (on an archer's bow)
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skitter
twitch the hook of a fishing line through or along the surface of water
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twang
pluck (strings of an instrument)
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tug
pull hard
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pull along, schlep, shlep
pull along heavily, like a heavy load against a resistance
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trail, train
drag loosely along a surface; allow to sweep the ground
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bouse, bowse
haul with a tackle
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arrest, catch, get
attract and fix
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draw in, retract
pull inward or towards a center
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tweeze
pluck with tweezers
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bring
attract the attention of
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pull
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squeeze like a wedge into a tight space
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take by force
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a group of people having the power of effective action“he joined forces with a band of adventurers”
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type of:
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social group
people sharing some social relation
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social group
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group of people willing to obey orders“a public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens”
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synonyms:
personnel
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types:
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guerilla force, guerrilla force
an irregular armed force that fights by sabotage and harassment; often rural and organized in large groups
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armed service, military service, service
a force that is a branch of the armed forces
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armed forces, armed services, military, military machine, war machine
the military forces of a nation
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paramilitary, paramilitary force, paramilitary organisation, paramilitary organization, paramilitary unit
a group of civilians organized in a military fashion (especially to operate in place of or to assist regular army troops)
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constabulary, law, police, police force
the force of police and officers
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private security force, security force
a privately employed group hired to protect the security of a business or industry
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MP, military police
a military corps that enforces discipline and guards prisoners
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hands, manpower, men, work force, workforce
the force of workers available
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patrol
a group that goes through a region at regular intervals for the purpose of security
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military personnel, soldiery, troops
soldiers collectively
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rank, rank and file
the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army)
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staff
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
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line personnel
personnel having direct job performance responsibilities
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management personnel
personnel having overall planning and direction responsibilities
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newsroom
the staff of a newspaper or the news department of a periodical
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army, ground forces, regular army
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
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naval forces, navy
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
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coastguard
a military service responsible for the safety of maritime traffic in coastal waters
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Marines
members of a body of troops trained to serve on land or at sea
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air force, airforce
the airborne branch of a country's armed forces
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military reserve, reserve
armed forces that are not on active duty but can be called in an emergency
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fedayeen
(plural) Arab guerrillas who operate mainly against Israel
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Fedayeen Saddam, Saddam's Martyrs
a feared paramilitary unit formed in 1995 by young soldiers to serve Saddam Hussein against domestic opponents
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European Law Enforcement Organisation, Europol
police organization for the European Union; aims to improve effectiveness and cooperation among European police forces
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gendarmerie, gendarmery
French police force; a group of gendarmes or gendarmes collectively
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Mutawa, Mutawa'een
religious police in Saudi Arabia whose duty is to ensure strict adherence to established codes of conduct; offenders may be detained indefinitely; foreigners are not excluded
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Mounties, RCMP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
the federal police force of Canada
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New Scotland Yard, Scotland Yard
the detective department of the metropolitan police force of London
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shore patrol
the military police of the navy
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secret police
a police force that operates in secrecy (usually against persons suspected of treason or sedition)
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SS, Schutzstaffel
special police force in Nazi Germany founded as a personal bodyguard for Adolf Hitler in 1925; the SS administered the concentration camps
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complement, full complement
number needed to make up a whole force
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border patrol
a group of officers who patrol the borders of a country
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harbor patrol
patrol of officers who police a harbor area
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office, office staff
professional or clerical workers in an office
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research staff
a group of associated research workers in a university or library or laboratory
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sales staff
those in a business who are responsible for sales
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security staff
those in an organization responsible for preventing spying or theft
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maintenance staff, service staff
those in a business responsible for maintaining the physical plant
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friendly
troops belonging to or allied with your own military forces
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hostile
troops belonging to the enemy's military forces
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cavalry, horse, horse cavalry
troops trained to fight on horseback
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garrison
the troops who maintain and guard a fortified place
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general staff
military officers assigned to assist a senior officer in planning military policy
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headquarters staff
military staff stationed at headquarters
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posse, posse comitatus
a temporary police force
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type of:
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organisation, organization
a group of people who work together
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a unit that is part of some military service“he sent Caesar a force of six thousand men”
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synonyms:
military force, military group, military unit
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types:
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trip wire
a small military force that serves as a first line of defense; if they become engaged in hostilities it will trigger the intervention of stronger military forces
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command
a military unit or region under the control of a single officer
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enemy
an opposing military force
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task force
a temporary military unit formed to accomplish a particular objective
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army unit
a military unit that is part of an army
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naval unit
a military unit that is part of a navy
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air unit
a military unit that is part of the airforce
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armor, armour
a military unit consisting of armored fighting vehicles
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mujahadeen, mujahadein, mujahadin, mujahedeen, mujahedin, mujahideen, mujahidin
a military force of Muslim guerilla warriors engaged in a jihad
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guard
a military unit serving to protect some place or person
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legion
a large military unit
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echelon
a body of troops arranged in a line
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phalanx
a body of troops in close array
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Republican Guard
formerly Iraq's elite military unit whose primary role was to protect the government in Baghdad
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Haganah
the clandestine military wing of the Jewish leadership during the British rule over the mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948; became the basis for the Israeli defense force
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IDF, Israeli Defense Force
the ground and air and naval forces of Israel
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militia, reserves
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
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commando
an amphibious military unit trained for raids into enemy territory
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contingent, detail
a temporary military unit
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headquarters
(plural) a military unit consisting of a commander and the headquarters staff
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spearhead
the leading military unit in an attack
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ACLANT, Allied Command Atlantic
a major strategic headquarters of NATO located in the United States; is under the authority of the North Atlantic Council
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ACE, Allied Command Europe
a major strategic headquarters of NATO; safeguards an area extending from Norway to Turkey
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ACC, Air Combat Command
a command that is the primary provider of air combat weapon systems to the United States Air Force; operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and rescue aircraft
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AFSPC, Air Force Space Command
a command of the United States Air Force that is responsible for defending the United States through its space and intercontinental ballistic missile operations
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Mujahedeen Khalq
Iranian guerillas based in Iraq
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SA, Storm Troops, Sturmabteilung
Nazi militia created by Hitler in 1921 that helped him to power but was eclipsed by the SS after 1943
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army corps, corps
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
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division
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
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battle group
an army unit usually consisting of five companies
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regiment
army unit smaller than a division
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brigade
army unit smaller than a division
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battalion
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
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company
small military unit; usually two or three platoons
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platoon
a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant
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detachment
a small unit of troops of special composition
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van, vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
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bodyguard
a group of men who escort and protect some important person
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section
a small army unit usually having a special function
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squad
the smallest army unit
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division, naval division
a group of ships of similar type
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air division, division
a unit of the United States Air Force usually comprising two or more wings
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wing
a unit of military aircraft
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air group
a unit of the United States Air Force larger than a squadron and smaller than a wing
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squadron
an air force unit larger than a flight and smaller than a group
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squadron
a naval unit that is detached from the fleet for a particular task
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flight
an air force unit smaller than a squadron
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foreign legion
a military unit composed of foreign volunteers who serve the state
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troop
a group of soldiers
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troop
a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company
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trainband
a company of militia in England or America from the 16th century to the 18th century
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Sayeret Mat'kal, Sayeret Matkal, sayeret
Israel's elite secret commando unit responsible for counterterrorist and top secret intelligence gathering and hostage rescue missions
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SAS, Special Air Service
a specialist regiment of the British army that is trained in commando techniques of warfare and used in clandestine operations (especially against terrorist groups)
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artillery, artillery unit
an army unit that uses big guns
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musketry
musketeers and their muskets collectively
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cavalry
a highly mobile army unit
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foot, infantry
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
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home guard
a volunteer unit formed to defend the homeland while the regular army is fighting elsewhere
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territorial, territorial reserve
a territorial military unit
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type of:
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social unit, unit
an organization regarded as part of a larger social group
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a putout of a base runner who is required to run; the putout is accomplished by holding the ball while touching the base to which the runner must advance before the runner reaches that base“the shortstop got the runner at second on a force”
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synonyms:
force out, force play, force-out
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type of:
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putout
an out resulting from a fielding play (not a strikeout)
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putout
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘force'.
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