26984 words

force

40 definitions • 72 examples
1

Examples:

The force of the wind had brought down a great many trees in the area.
She slapped his face with unexpected force.
Teachers aren't allowed to use force in the classroom.
force of numbers The police were able to control the crowd by sheer force of numbers (= because there were more police than there were people in the crowd).
2

Examples:

Photographers were out in force at the White House today.
3
in scientific use, (a measure of) the influence that changes movement:

Examples:

the force of gravity
4
to work with someone else in order to achieve something that you both want:

Examples:

Britain and France were both working on developing a supersonic aircraft when they decided to join forces in 1962.
5
(a person or thing with a lot of) influence and energy:

Examples:

He was a powerful force in politics.
forces of nature Fishermen are always at the mercy of the forces of nature (= bad weather conditions).
6
If an organization or a person is described as a force to be reckoned with, it means that they are powerful and have a lot of influence:

Examples:

The United Nations is now a force to be reckoned with.
7
a thing that has a strong natural power that cannot be controlled by humans, or the power itself:

Examples:

We are still learning how rivers cut through rock and about the forces of nature involved.
Earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions serve to remind us of the awful force of nature.
8
someone who has a very strong personality, with a lot of energy:

Examples:

At the age of 87, she is still a force of nature.
With 12 goals in 4 games, it seems that nothing can stop this elemental force of nature.
9
If you do something out of force of habit, you do it without thinking because you have done it so many times before:

Examples:

I just locked the door through force of habit, not thinking that Julia wouldn't be able to get in.
10

Examples:

the work force
police force He joined the police force right after graduating.
11
the military organizations for air, land, and sea:

Examples:

The forces are moving towards the country's capital.
12
(of laws, rules, or systems) existing and being used:

Examples:

come into force New driving regulations are going to come into force this year.
13
in baseball, an occasion when a player is put out when they have to run to the next base (= one of the four positions on a square that a player must reach to score a point) because another player on their team is running to the base where they are standing:

Examples:

There was a chance to get a force at second base.
14
to make something happen or make someone do something difficult, unpleasant, or unusual, especially by threatening or not offering the possibility of choice:

Examples:

force someone/something to do something You can't force her to make a decision.
be forced to Hospitals are being forced to close departments because of lack of money.
force yourself to do something I really have to force myself to be nice to him.
force something back You could tell he was having to force back the tears (= to stop himself from crying).
force something down The food tasted nasty, but I managed to force it down (= to make myself swallow it).
force something on someone I didn't actually want any more dessert, but Julia forced it on me (= made me accept it).
force yourself on someone I couldn't stay at their flat - I'd feel as if I was forcing myself on them (= making them allow me to stay).
force something out of someone You never tell me how you're feeling - I have to force it out of you (= make you tell me)!
15
If plants or vegetables are forced, they are made to grow faster by artificially controlling growing conditions such as the amount of heat and light:

Examples:

16
to manage, with difficulty, to laugh or smile:

Examples:

I managed to force a smile as they were leaving.
17
to take action to make certain that an urgent problem or matter is dealt with now:

Examples:

If the management wouldn't listen to their demands, they would have to force the issue by striking.
18
to use physical strength or effort to make something move or open:

Examples:

Move your leg up gently when you're doing this exercise, but don't force it.
If you force the zip, it'll break.
force your way somewhere She forced her way through the crowd.
19
to break a lock, door, window, etc. in order to allow someone to get in:

Examples:

I forgot my key, so I had to force a window.
force something open The police had forced open the door because nobody had answered.
force an entry The burglar forced an entry (= broke a window, door, etc. to get into the house).
20

Examples:

[ U ] The force of the wind knocked down many trees during the hurricane.
[ U ] She had to use force to get the old window open.
21
A force is a power that causes an object to move or that changes movement.
22
strong influence and energy, or a person with strong influence and energy:

Examples:

[ U ] The sheer force of her words kept the audience glued to their seats.
[ C ] He was a powerful force in national politics for 30 years.
23
power to make someone do something, or to make something happen, esp. without offering the possibility of choice:

Examples:

24

Examples:

the Air Force
UN forces continue to provide relief in the war-torn region.
25
Force is also military strength.
26
a group of people who do the same job:

Examples:

a sales force
the police force
27
If a person or group joins or combines forces with another person or group, they agree to work together.
28
to use physical strength or effort to make something move or open:

Examples:

If the piece won’t fit in the hole, don’t force it.
He forced his way through the crowd to reach the exit.
29
To force a lock, door, window, etc., is to break it in order to get in:

Examples:

I forgot my house key, so I had to force a window.
30
to make someone do something, or make something happen, esp. by threatening or not offering the possibility of choice:

Examples:

I hate string beans, so I had to force myself to eat them.
[ + to infinitive ] Anderson was forced to leave the game with a bruised knee.
I didn’t actually want any more dessert, but Julia forced it on me.
If callers have information about the crime and would like to give their names that is fine, but we’re not going to force the issue (= make them give their names).
31
a person or thing with a lot of influence, power, or energy:

Examples:

a dominant/major/powerful force The takeover will create a powerful new force in Britain's food retail industry.
a force for change/good The movement of work to developing economies must be a force for good.
32
a group of people organized and trained for a particular purpose:

Examples:

The company soon had a sales force distributed across Europe.
33
the influence or authority of something:

Examples:

They made sure the minister felt the full force of business resentment at the government's new workplace laws.
It was not until the summer that the advertising campaign gained force.
These building codes do not have the force of law.
34
if laws, rules, or systems are in force, they are being used:

Examples:

The notice lists the import duties and taxes currently in force.
35
a powerful person or organization with a lot of influence:

Examples:

The company is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with on the global telecom scene.
36
to work with someone in order to achieve something you both want:

Examples:

The two companies, one Dutch the other French, have just joined forces to exploit the European market for petfood.
37
when laws, rules, or systems come into force, they start being used:

Examples:

The final stage of measures to improve access to work for disabled employees comes into force tomorrow.
38
to make a person or an organization do something that they do not want to do:

Examples:

force sb/sth to do sth The arrival of the new supermarket has forced local businesses to raise their wages to compete.
force sb/sth into sth Heavy law school debt frequently forces graduates into high-paying jobs at private firms, where intense deadlines and grinding hours are routine.
force sb/sth into doing sth Customers are being forced into banking by phone or over the internet.
39
to make something happen, especially something that people do not want to happen:

Examples:

The economic slowdown has forced a second week of temporary closure.
The government threatened to force an agreement between banks and retailers for a new system.
40
to make someone do something they do not want to do or do something sooner than they had intended:

Examples:

The changing dynamics of the diamond business are beginning to force the company's hand.

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