a powerful effect or influence; the force of his eloquence easily persuaded them'
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
[ Syn: force out , force-out , force play ]
(physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity; force equals mass times acceleration'
physical energy or intensity; he hit with all the force he could muster; it was destroyed by the strength of the gale; a government has not the vitality and forcefulness of a living man
[ Syn: forcefulness , strength ]
group of people willing to obey orders; a public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
[ Syn: personnel ]
a unit that is part of some military service; he sent Caesar a force of six thousand men
[ Syn: military unit , military force , military group ]
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
[ Syn: violence ]
one possessing or exercising power or influence or authority; the mysterious presence of an evil power; may the force be with you; the forces of evil
[ Syn: power ]
a group of people having the power of effective action; he joined forces with a band of adventurers'
(of a law) having legal validity; the law is still in effect
[ Syn: effect ]
force (n.)
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :She forced him to take a job in the city; He squeezed her for information
urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
[ Syn: impel ]
move with force, He pushed the table into a corner
[ Syn: push ]
impose urgently, importunately, or inexorably; She forced her diet fads on him
[ Syn: thrust ]
squeeze like a wedge into a tight space; I squeezed myself into the corner
force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically; She rammed her mind into focus; He drives me mad
cause to move by pulling; draw a wagon; pull a sled
do forcibly; exert force; Don't force it!'
take by force; Storm the fort
[ Syn: storm ]