in force

1. In full strength, in large numbers, as in Demonstrators were out in force . This usage originally alluded to a large military force. [Early 1300s]

2. Operative, binding, as in This rule is no longer in force . This usage originally alluded to the binding power of a law. [Late 1400s]

Example Sentences

The MTV Europe Awards are taking place in the UK for the first time in seven years, and stars turned out in force at Manchester's Co-op Live arena.

From BBC

Heavy rains are also expected in the Cayman Islands, while a tropical storm warning is in force in the Florida Keys.

From BBC

From there Williams walked through all we achieved and had yet to achieve, and gamely included the acknowledgment that some of America's first heroes enslaved the ancestors of Black people who, against all the media hype, showed up in force.

From Salon

Weather warnings that remain in force in north-eastern and southern Spain are due to last through Sunday, while another has been issued in the Balearic Islands for Saturday.

From BBC

"I am confident that, had the draft Codes been in force at the time, they would have provided a firm basis for urgent engagement with services on the steps they were taking to protect UK users from harm," Dame Melanie wrote.

From BBC

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• binding
• compelling
• conclusive
• credible
• good
• lawful
• legal
• legitimate
• logical
• original
• persuasive
• solid
• true
• well-founded