forceful

adjective

ˈfȯrs-fəl How to pronounce forceful (audio)
Definition of forcefulnext
1
as in compelling
having the power to persuade made a very forceful argument against going to war

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2
as in aggressive
marked by or uttered with forcefulness kept asking until I gave a very forceful and blunt "no"

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3
as in strong
not showing weakness or uncertainty took a forceful stand on the highly controversial issue

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4
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others a forceful speaker whose words moved the audience to tears

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forceful Buckingham Palace released an unusually forceful statement denying Spencer’s claims and suggesting that grief for his older sister may have impacted his memory. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026 But each makes a forceful argument that the machines may cut costs but can’t yet replicate the soul. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026 First incarcerated as a teenager, Big Ant has spent so much of his life locked up that his high school sweetheart, Lozita (a forceful Danielle Brooks), stays with him out of loyalty, not love. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Some of Warsh’s colleagues, however, have been more forceful about the need to act sooner rather than later. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forceful
  1. compelling
  2. aggressive
  3. strong
  4. influential
  5. convincing
  6. emphatic
  7. vigorous
  8. authoritative
Adjective
  • If your rate is above 6%, using your extra money to aggressively pay down your debt is compelling.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Goldman said that the stock remains compelling, even after a 23% runup this year.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • These two phases of work are joined by Serra’s implicit disavowal of abstraction as a form of imagemaking in favor of an object’s aggressive purchase on the real.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Her challenger is Herb Morgan, a Republican from San Diego who promises a more aggressive approach to the job.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of aggressive
Adjective
  • Mercury in Scorpio squares Mars in Leo, making opinions stronger, reactions quicker, and certain conversations easier to escalate than intended.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Fire officials had also failed to take advantage of satellite imagery after strong winds grounded their typical eyes in the sky, aircraft.
    — Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • Medellín is also home to influential streetwear brands inspired by the city’s reggaeton culture.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Anarchism was unequivocally a powerful organizing force in Italian communities and an influential force in labor politics.
    — Ed Simon, JSTOR Daily, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • But his effort to boost Republicans largely have targeted voters who need the least convincing.
    — Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Balzano expects automotive assembly, warehousing and logistics to provide some of the first convincing financial returns.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of convincing
Adjective
  • In this market moment, very few index rally days are emphatic, no selloffs are fully bereft.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • James then looked up and hit VJ Edgecombe with a lob, and the second-year guard finished with an emphatic dunk.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphatic
Adjective
  • By the late 1500s, the once vigorous Ming was severely eroding.
    — Carl Minzner, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is in the fight of her political life, facing a vigorous challenge from City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a savvy campaigner who was until recently a close ally.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigorous
Adjective
  • With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The underlying transactions have to be organized and labeled so the system can tell what’s authoritative and what’s just a reference point.
    — Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of authoritative

Browse Nearby Words

force field
forceful
forcefully
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Cite this Entry

“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forceful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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