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Definitions

forced

[fawrst, fohrst] / fɔrst, foʊrst /
ADJECTIVE
compulsory, strained
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compelled contrived enforced involuntary mandatory unwilling
STRONG
affected begrudging binding bound coerced conscripted constrained grudging labored slave
WEAK
artificial coercive factitious false inflexible insincere obligatory peremptory rigid stiff stringent unnatural wooden
Antonyms
STRONGEST
voluntary
WEAK
noncompulsory spontaneous unforced

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Shops have remained open, unlike during the previous talks, when authorities forced them to shut.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

Jessica Mann shouldn’t be forced to stand alone to tell her story in court for the third time.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

Pope Leo said: "My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions."

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

He forced a cultural rewrite that Microsoft veterans still talk about.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

As we passed the soldiers, even though my legs felt so rubbery I wasn’t sure they would remember how to keep on moving, I forced my face not to betray my fears.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler