force
noun/fɔːs/
/fɔːrs/
Word Family
Idioms - force noun verb
- forceful adjective
- forcefully adverb
- forced adjective (≠ unforced)
- forcible adjective
- forcibly adverb
- enforce verb
- [uncountable] violent physical action used to obtain or achieve something
- The release of the hostages could not be achieved without the use of force.
- If persuasion doesn't work, they use force.
- The government has relied on brute force to respond to public discontent.
- by force The rioters were taken away by force.
- The empire was held together by military force.
- plans to seize power by force of arms (= by military force)
Extra Examples- The regulations allow the use of force if necessary.
- The country's attempts to meet force with force led to the outbreak of war.
- Police were accused of using excessive force.
- The ultimatum contained the threat of military force.
- We will achieve much more by persuasion than by brute force.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable] physical strength, especially as shown when something hits something else
- the force of the explosion/impact
- The shopping centre took the full force of the blast.
- You have to apply some force to move the lever.
- with force She hits the ball with amazing force for someone so small.
Extra ExamplesTopics Physics and chemistryb1- He staggered backwards from the force of the blow.
- The force of the explosion hurled bodies into the air.
- The waves were breaking against the rocks with great force.
- A thick wall shielded us from the force of the wind.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
- [uncountable] the strong effect or influence of something
- They realized the force of her argument.
- a leader who inspired others with the force of his personality
- by force of something He controlled himself by sheer force of will.
- with force Grant drove the point home with considerable force.
- She spoke with force and deliberation.
Extra Examples- I felt the full force of her criticism.
- She used her sheer force of personality to keep the family together.
- Suddenly it came home to me with tremendous force that this was my last chance.
- The emotional force of the songs derives from their universal themes.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- great
- terrible
- …
- employ
- resort to
- use
- …
- by force
- catch the full force of something
- feel the full force of something
- take the full force of something
- …
- [countable] a person or thing that has a lot of power or influence
- the forces of good/evil
- They believe that market forces should determine prices.
- Ron is the driving force (= the person who has the most influence) behind the project.
- She's a force to be reckoned with (= a person who has a lot of power and influence and should therefore be treated seriously).
- a force for something a force for good/evil
- The expansion of higher education should be a powerful force for change.
- He was finally defeated by forces beyond his control.
- Social media has become a major force in political campaigns.
Extra Examples- The idea of the West remains a powerful force in American culture.
- She was seen as a potentially disruptive force within the party.
- The play portrays a marriage torn apart by external forces.
- Though officially retired, she remains the creative force behind the design business.
- Many social and economic forces contributed to this trend.
- the combined forces of MI5 and Scotland Yard
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- formidable
- great
- …
- remain
- balance
- fight
- …
- force behind
- force for
- a balance of forces
- a force to be reckoned with
- the forces of nature
- …
- [uncountable] the authority of something
- The court ruled that these standards have force in English law.
- The contract was not signed and has no binding force.
- the force of something These guidelines do not have the force of law.
- The culprits must expect to face the full force of the law.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- binding
- legal
- statutory
- …
- come into
- bring something into
- in force
- the force of law
- [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who have been organized for a particular purpose
- a member of the sales force
- The sales force is/are working extra hard.
- She has attracted a force of passionate young individuals who are committed to the organization.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- [countable + singular or plural verb] a trained and organized group of police, soldiers or other military personnel
- Rebel forces now control most of the capital.
- Government forces captured the rebel positions.
- coalition/allied forces
- The peacekeeping force has/have now been dispatched.
- He called on the local population to rise up against the occupying forces.
- American special forces pride themselves on their elite status.
- The government deployed military forces to attack terrorist strongholds.
- The British were ordered to withdraw their forces immediately.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb1- Allied ground forces would move in rapidly.
- Allied forces were able to advance to the capital.
- a token force of only 300 men
- These elite forces are the best equipped and trained in the world.
- UN forces operating in the region
- More troops have been called in to support the coalition forces there.
- a UN deadline for the withdrawal of forces
- A large expeditionary force was assembled.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- the forces[plural] (British English) the army, navy and air force
- life in the forces
- Daisy intends to join the forces when she leaves school this summer.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- forces[plural] the weapons and soldiers that an army, etc. has, considered as things that may be used
- strategic nuclear forces
- The government is negotiating cuts to nuclear forces.
- the force[singular] the police force
- He joined the force twenty years ago.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- large
- small
- token
- …
- assemble
- create
- form
- …
- control something
- operate
- in a/the force
- a member of a force
- the withdrawal of a force
- [countable, uncountable] an effect that causes things to move in a particular way
- The moon exerts a force on the earth.
- the force of gravity
- the sun's magnetic force
- Because of the increased mass, more force is needed to accelerate the object.
Extra Examples- Deep internal forces cause movements of the earth's crust.
- The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.
- lateral forces acting on the car's suspension
- the attractive and repulsive forces between individual particles
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- powerful
- strong
- weak
- …
- apply
- exert
- generate
- …
- act on something
- balance something
- field
- force between
- a balance of forces
- the force of gravity
- [countable, usually singular] a unit for measuring the strength of the wind on the Beaufort scale
- a force 9 gale
- a gale force wind
Extra ExamplesTopics Weatherc1- The wind was increasing to gale force.
- hurricane-force winds
see also tour de force
violent action
physical strength
strong effect
somebody/something with power
authority
group of people
military
police
physics
of wind
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French force (noun), forcer (verb), based on Latin fortis ‘strong’.
Idioms
See force in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee force in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishbring something into force
- to cause a law, rule, etc. to start being used
- They are hoping to bring the new legislation into force before the end of the year.
come/enter into force
- (of a law, rule, etc.) to start being used
- When do the new regulations come into force?
- The new law comes into force as from midnight tomorrow.
force of habit
- if you do something from or out of force of habit, you do it without thinking about it and in a particular way because you have always done it that way in the past
- It's force of habit that gets me out of bed at 6.15 each morning.
a force of nature
- a person with a very strong personality who is full of energy, very determined and difficult for others to resist
- Gerard is a force of nature, continually pursuing his target when everyone else is ready to give up.
the forces of nature
- the power of the wind, rain, etc., especially when it causes damage or harm
- They were fighting a losing battle against the forces of nature.
in force
- (of people) in large numbers
- Protesters turned out in force.
- (of a law, rule, etc.) being used
- The new regulations are now in force.
Extra Examples- Several archaic laws are still in force.
- Some laws relating to obsolete customs are still in force.
join/combine forces (with somebody)
- to work together in order to achieve a shared aim
- The two firms joined forces to win the contract.
- The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
a spent force
- a person or group that no longer has any power or influence
- The opposition party is now a spent political force.
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force