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Synonyms

forced

American  
[fawrst, fohrst] / fɔrst, foʊrst /

adjective

  1. enforced or compulsory.

    forced labor.

  2. strained, unnatural, or affected.

    a forced smile.

  3. subjected to force.

  4. required by circumstances; emergency.

    a forced landing of an airplane.
forced British  
/ fɔːst, ˈfɔːsɪdlɪ /

adjective

  1. done because of force; compulsory

    forced labour

  2. false or unnatural

    a forced smile

  3. due to an emergency or necessity

    a forced landing

  4. physics caused by an external agency

    a forced vibration

    a forced draught
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of forced

First recorded in 1540–50; force + -ed 2

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.

"I don't think anyone should be forced to play if they are hurt or feel like they are forced to play, which it sometimes does."

From BBC • May 6, 2026

A challenging advertising market, changes in search traffic and increased competition have forced digital-media firms to recalibrate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Live Nation is believed to control at least 80% of the ticketing market for major concert venues, but analysts have said a forced breakup of the company is unlikely.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

When the buyer’s answer isn’t good enough, Miranda is forced to find another way for Runway to forge on, amid the deafening sound of a ticking clock.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

I forced what I hoped was a friendly smile onto my own face, but it felt stiff and awkward so I stopped.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.