forced

[ fawrst, fohrst ]

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

/ 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 draught

   a forced vibration

Derived Forms

• forcedly, adverb
• ˈforcedness, noun

Other Words From

• forc·ed·ly [fawr, -sid-lee, fohr, -], adverb
• forced·ness noun
• quasi-forced adjective
• un·forced adjective
• un·forced·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of forced¹

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

Example Sentences

The Pilots forced an incompletion on fourth down at their own 23 with 15 seconds left and Argueta took a knee to run out the clock.

From Los Angeles Times

Donald Trump is asking Republicans in the Senate to squash a bill that would protect journalists from being forced to reveal their sources.

From Salon

However, the resulting building, which contained a spa pool and home cinema, was described by council enforcement officer Richard Proctor as "wholly unauthorised" and the family was forced to demolish it in February.

From BBC

Being forced to sell Chrome would be among the worst possible outcomes for Google.

From New York Times

The LAO said the state should be in a much better financial position for next year’s budget than earlier this year when Democrats were forced to reconcile a nearly $50-billion shortfall.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• compelled
• contrived
• enforced
• involuntary
• mandatory
• unwilling