Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense forces, present participle forcing, past tense, past participle forced
1. verb
If someone forces you to do something, they make you do it even though you do not want to, for example by threatening you.
The gunman forced a woman to drive him across the city, stopping to shoot at bystanders. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
The royal family were forced to flee with their infant son. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
I cannot force you in this. You must decide. [VERB noun]
They were grabbed by three men who appeared to force them into a car. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
2. verb
If a situation or event forces you to do something, it makes it necessary for you to do something that you would not otherwise have done.
A back injury forced her to withdraw from the tournament. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
He turned right, down a dirt road that forced him into four-wheel drive. [V n + into/to/out of]
She finally was forced to the conclusion that she wouldn't get another paid job inher field. [beV-ed + into/to/out of]
3. verb
If someone forces something on or upon you, they make you accept or use it when you would prefer not to.
To force this agreement on the nation is wrong. [V n + on/upon]
Synonyms: impose, foist More Synonyms of force
4. verb
If you force something into a particular position, you use a lot of strength to make it move there.
They were forcing her head under the icy waters, drowning her. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: push, thrust, propel More Synonyms of force
5. verb
If someone forces a lock, a door, or a window, they break the lock or fastening in order to get into a building without using a key.
That evening police forced the door of the flat and arrested Mr Roberts. [VERB noun]
He tried to force the window open but it was jammed shut. [VERB noun adjective]
Synonyms: break open, blast, wrench, prise More Synonyms of force
6. uncountable noun
If someone uses force to do something, or if it is done by force, strong and violent physical action is taken in order to achieve it.
The government decided against using force to break up the demonstrations.
...the guerrillas' efforts to seize power by force.
7. uncountable noun
Force is the power or strength which something has.
The force of the explosion shattered the windows of several buildings.
It looked as though the storm had an awful lot of force.
8. countable noun
If you refer to someone or something as a force in a particular type of activity, you mean that they have a strong influence on it.
For years the army was the most powerful political force in the country. [+ in]
The band are still as innovative a force in British music as they were when theystarted.
One of the driving forces behind this recent expansion is the growth of services. [+ behind]
Synonyms: agency [old-fashioned], means, power, medium More Synonyms of force
9. uncountable noun
The forceof something is the powerful effect or quality that it has.
He changed our world through the force of his ideas. [+ of]
Perhaps your force of argument might have made some difference.
Synonyms: influence, power, effect, authority More Synonyms of force
10. countable noun [usually plural]
You can use forces to refer to processes and events that do not appear to be caused by human beings,and are therefore difficult to understand or control.
...the forces of nature: epidemics, predators, floods, hurricanes. [+ of]
The principle of market forces was applied to some of the country's most reveredinstitutions.
Is it really the Holy Spirit moving me, or is it some evil force?
11. variable noun
In physics, a force is the pulling or pushing effect that something has on something else.
...the earth's gravitational force.
...protons and electrons trapped by magnetic forces in the Van Allen belts.
12. uncountable noun
Force is used before a number to indicate a wind of a particular speed or strength, especially a very strong wind.
The airlift was conducted in force ten winds.
Northerly winds will increase to force six by midday.
13. verb
If you force a smile or a laugh, you manage to smile or laugh, but with an effort because you are unhappy.
Joe forced a smile, but underneath he was a little disturbed. [VERB noun]
'Why don't you offer me a drink?' he asked, with a forced smile. [VERB-ed]
14. countable noun [usually plural]
Forces are groups of soldiers or military vehicles that are organized for a particular purpose.
...the deployment of American forces in the region.
15. plural noun
Theforces means the army, the navy, or the air force, or all three.
The more senior you become in the forces, the more likely you are to end up in adesk job.
16. singular noun
Theforce is sometimes used to mean the police force.
It was hard for a police officer to make friends outside the force.
17. See also air force, armed forces, labour force, peacekeeping, task force, tour de force, workforce
18.
See by force of
19.
See force of habit
20.
See in force
21.
See in force
22.
See to join forces
23.
See force one's way somewhere
24. to force someone's hand
Phrasal verbs:
See force back
More Synonyms of force
force in British English1
(fɔːs)
noun
1.
strength or energy; might; power
the force of the blow
a gale of great force
2.
exertion or the use of exertion against a person or thing that resists; coercion
3. physics
a.
a dynamic influence that changes a body from a state of rest to one of motion or changes itsrate of motion. The magnitude of the force is equal to the product of the mass of the body and its acceleration
b.
a static influence that produces an elastic strain in a body or system or bears weight
Symbol: F
4. physics
any operating influence that produces or tends to produce a change in a physical quantity
electromotive force
coercive force
5.
a.
intellectual, social, political, or moral influence or strength
the force of her argument
the forces of evil
b.
a person or thing with such influence
he was a force in the land
6.
vehemence or intensity
she spoke with great force
7.
a group of persons organized for military or police functions
armed forces
8. the force
9.
a group of persons organized for particular duties or tasks
a workforce
10. criminal law
violence unlawfully committed or threatened
11. philosophy, logic
that which an expression is normally used to achieve
speech act, illocution, perlocution
12. in force
13. join forces
verb(transitive)
14.
to compel or cause (a person, group, etc) to do something through effort, superior strength, etc; coerce
15.
to acquire, secure, or produce through effort, superior strength, etc
to force a confession
16.
to propel or drive despite resistance
to force a nail into wood
17.
to break down or open (a lock, safe, door, etc)
18.
to impose or inflict
he forced his views on them
19.
to cause (plants or farm animals) to grow or fatten artificially at an increased rate
20.
to strain or exert to the utmost
to force the voice
21.
to rape; ravish
22. cards
a.
to compel (a player) to trump in order to take a trick
b.
to compel a player by the lead of a particular suit to play (a certain card)
c.
(in bridge) to induce (a bid) from one's partner by bidding in a certain way
23. force a smile
24. force down
25. force the pace
Derived forms
forceable (ˈforceable)
adjective
forceless (ˈforceless)
adjective
forcer (ˈforcer)
noun
forcingly (ˈforcingly)
adverb
Word origin
C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin fortia (unattested), from Latin fortis strong
force in British English2
(fɔːs)
noun
(in northern England) a waterfall
Word origin
C17: from Old Norse fors
force in American English
(fɔrs; foʊrs)
noun
1.
strength; energy; vigor; power
2.
the intensity of power; impetus
the force of a blow
3.
a.
physical power or strength exerted against a person or thing
to use force in opening a door
b.
the use of physical power to overcome or restrain a person; physical coercion; violence
to resort to force in dispersing a mob
4.
the power of a person to act effectively and vigorously; moral or intellectual strength
force of character
5.
a.
the power to control, persuade, influence, etc.; effectiveness
the force of circumstances, an argument lacking force
b.
a person, thing, or group having a certain influence, power, etc.
a force for good
6.
the real or precise meaning; basic point
to miss the force of something said
7.
a.
military, naval, or air power
b.
the collective armed strength, as of a nation
c.
any organized group of soldiers, sailors, etc.
8.
any group of people organized for some activity
a sales force, a police force
9. Law
binding power; validity
10. Physics
the cause, or agent, that puts an object at rest into motion or alters the motion of a moving object
abbrev. F
verb transitiveWord forms: forced or ˈforcing
11.
to cause to do something by or as if by force; compel
12.
to rape (a woman)
13.
a.
to break open, into, or through by force
to force a lock
b.
to make (a way, etc.) by force
c.
to overpower or capture by breaking into, through, etc.
to force the enemy's stronghold
14.
to get or take by force; wrest; extort
forcing the gun from his hand
15.
to drive by or as by force; cause to move against resistance; impel
to force an article into a filled box
16.
to impose by or as by force
with on or upon
to force one's attentions on another
17.
to effect or produce by or as by force; produce by unusual or unnatural effort
to force a smile
18.
to exert beyond the natural limits or capacity; strain
to force one's voice
19.
to cause (plants, fruit, etc.) to develop or grow faster by artificial means
20. Obsolete
a.
to give or add force to
b.
to put in force
21. US, Baseball
a.
to cause (a base runner) to be put out by a force-out
said of a batter
b.
to cause (a runner) to score or (a run) to be scored by walking the batter with the bases full
often with in
22.
a. Cards
to cause (an opponent) to play (a particular card)
b. Bridge
to make a bid that requires (one's partner) to bid in response
SIMILAR WORDS: strength
Idioms:
in force
SYNONYMY NOTE: force implies the exertion of power in causing a person or thing to act, move, or complyagainst his or its resistance and may refer to physical strength or to any impellingmotive [circumstances forced him to lie]; compel implies a driving irresistibly to some action, condition, etc.; to , coerce is to compel submission or obedience by the use of superior power, intimidation,threats, etc.; , constrain implies the operation of a restricting force and therefore suggests a strained, repressed,or unnatural quality in that which results [a constrained laugh]
Derived forms
forceable (ˈforceable)
adjective
forceless (ˈforceless)
adjective
forcer (ˈforcer)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr < VL *fortia, *forcia < L fortis, strong: see fort1
force in Mechanical Engineering
(fɔrs)
Word forms: (regular plural) forces
noun
(Mechanical engineering: General)
A force is an action applied to a body which makes it change speed, direction, or shape.
Acceleration is produced when a force acts on a body which does not resist it. Otherwise, the force will deform the body.
When a force is applied to an unresisting object, the object moves.
A force is an action applied to a body which makes it change speed, direction, or shape.
centrifugal force, distributed force, shear force
More idioms containing
force
force someone's hand
Examples of 'force' in a sentence
force
We long to influence those forces that control us.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The soldier who leaves the armed forces should know where to go and how to seek help.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Footage of the crash site showed the front carriages twisted and torn open by the force of the accident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He'll bring in the right players and will make them a force again.
The Sun (2016)
Now the army 's special forces have been trained by American instructors.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He's a strong force '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Shareholders are rarely happy to be in a beside one controlling force.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Out of force of habit he spent ten minutes trying to find the file in his cake.
The Sun (2010)
They stand only until disproved by the force of better argument.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
It has no air force or navy.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The air force promised regular combat readiness patrols.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will change the law to force them to do it.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We have an army with an air force and an air force with an army.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The woman was forced to open it.
William Thackeray Vanity Fair (1837)
Wellington is undoubtedly a force of nature.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They need to bring in an outside force.
The Sun (2013)
He has a good driving force behind himself.
The Sun (2012)
Those forced to smile found the cartoons funnier than those frowning.
The Sun (2009)
There was no evidence that her front door had been forced.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Will they have the legal power to force that through?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The police have been forced to step up their presence and locals have launched their own patrols.
The Sun (2013)
This year worried organisers have been forced to make the online application procedure live again after it closed.
The Sun (2008)
The next chief of the armed forces is being chosen this weekend at the end of a tumultuous week.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
British special forces will help with the squad's security.
The Sun (2016)
Two contrasting phenomena high- light the dynamics within the female labour force which are likely to change its nature.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
All this is an unsettling misuse of the music, which was meant to convey the battle with a supernatural force of evil.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Quotations
Force without reason falls of its own weightHoraceOdes
There is no real force without justiceNapoleonMaxims
Where force is necessary, there it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. But one must know the limitations of force; one must know when to blend force with a manoeuvre, a blow with an agreementLeon TrotskyWhat Next?
Who overcomes By force, hath overcome but half his foeJohn MiltonParadise Lost
Force is as pitiless to the man who possesses it, or thinks he does, as it is to its victims; the second it crushes, the first it intoxicates. The truth is, nobody really possesses itSimone WeilThe Iliad or the Poem of Force
Word lists with
force
Criminal law terms
In other languages
force
British English: force /fɔːs/ NOUN
Force is power or strength.
They tried to seize power by force.
American English: force
Arabic: قُوَّة
Brazilian Portuguese: força
Chinese: 力量
Croatian: sila
Czech: síla
Danish: styrke
Dutch: macht
European Spanish: fuerza
Finnish: voima
French: force
German: Kraft
Greek: ισχύς
Italian: forza
Japanese: 力
Korean: 힘
Norwegian: styrke
Polish: siła moc
European Portuguese: força
Romanian: forță
Russian: сила
Latin American Spanish: fuerza
Swedish: styrka
Thai: กำลัง
Turkish: güç kuvvet
Ukrainian: сила
Vietnamese: lực
British English: force /fɔːs/ VERB
If something or someone forces you to do something, they make you do it, even though you do not want to.
A back injury forced her to exit from the race.
American English: force
Arabic: يُجْبِرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: forçar
Chinese: 强制
Croatian: prisiliti
Czech: nutit
Danish: tvinge
Dutch: dwingen
European Spanish: obligar
Finnish: pakottaa
French: forcer
German: zwingen
Greek: εξαναγκάζω
Italian: forzare
Japanese: 強いる
Korean: 강요하다
Norwegian: tvinge
Polish: zmusić
European Portuguese: forçar
Romanian: a forța
Russian: принуждать
Latin American Spanish: obligar
Swedish: tvinga
Thai: บังคับ
Turkish: zorlamak
Ukrainian: примушувати
Vietnamese: cưỡng ép
All related terms of 'force'
G-force
the force of gravity
air force
An air force is the part of a country's armed forces that is concerned with fighting in the air.
force-fed
to force (a person or animal) to eat or swallow food
force-out
an out that results when a base runner who has been forced from a base when a teammate hits the ball fails to reach the next base before the ball does
in force
A law, rule , or system that is in force exists or is being used.
the force
the police force
Delta Force
(in the US) an é lite army unit involved in counterterrorist operations abroad
fifth force
a hypothetical non-Newtonian repulsive component of the force of gravity , postulated as an addition to the four known fundamental forces ( gravitational , electromagnetic , strong, and weak )
force back
If you force back an emotion or desire , you manage , with an effort , not to experience it.
force down
to compel an aircraft to land
force-feed
If you force-feed a person or animal, you make them eat or drink by pushing food or drink down their throat .
force field
A force field is an area of energy , such as magnetic energy, that surrounds an object or place.
force pump
a pump that ejects fluid under pressure
force-ripe
(of fruit ) prematurely picked and ripened by squeezing or warm storage
gale-force
A gale-force wind is a very strong wind.
labor force
The labor force consists of all the people who are able to work in a country or area, or all the people who work for a particular company .
land force
an armed force serving on land
life force
Life force is energy that some people believe exists in all living things and keeps them alive .
sales force
A company's sales force is all the people that work for that company selling its products .
shear force
Shear force is force that makes one surface of a substance move over another parallel surface.
spent force
If you refer to someone who used to be powerful as a spent force , you mean that they no longer have any power or influence.
storm force
(on the Beaufort scale ) force 10 0 r 11
task force
A task force is a small section of an army , navy , or air force that is sent to a particular place to deal with a military crisis .
third force
a third element, group, bloc , etc. functioning as a counterbalancing , neutralizing , or moderating force or influence in a struggle between two established powers; specif., a coalition of nations for this purpose internationally
vital force
(esp in early biological theory) a hypothetical force, independent of physical and chemical forces, regarded as being the causative factor of the evolution and development of living organisms
buffer force
a force separating two opposing sides
buoyant force
Physics See under Archimedes' principle Also called : buoyancy force
driving force
the main factor that causes something to happen
force majeure
irresistible force or compulsion such as will excuse a party from performing his or her part of a contract
ground force
a military force that operates on the ground
inertia force
an imaginary force supposed to act upon an accelerated body, equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the resultant of the real forces
labour force
The labour force consists of all the people who are able to work in a country or area, or all the people who work for a particular company .
landing force
troops that leave a ship to launch an attack on land
nuclear force
→ strong interaction
police force
A police force is the police organization in a particular country or area.
strike force
a police unit designed to target a particular type of crime
strong force
→ strong interaction
by force of
If something happens by force of a particular quality, action , or set of circumstances , it happens because of the nature or intensity of that quality, action, or set of circumstances.
coercive force
a measure of the magnetization of a ferromagnetic material as expressed by the external magnetic field strength necessary to demagnetize it. Measured in amperes per metre
Coriolis force
a fictitious force used to explain a deflection in the path of a body moving in latitude relative to the earth when observed from the earth. The deflection ( Coriolis effect ) is due to the earth's rotation and is to the east when the motion is towards a pole
emergency force
a group of soldiers whose job it is to respond to emergencies : for example, to keep order, or to deliver food and medical supplies in a natural disaster
exchange force
a force between two elementary particles resulting from the exchange of a virtual particle
inertial force
an imaginary force which an accelerated observer postulates so that he or she can use the equations appropriate to an inertial observer
magnetic force
the repelling or attracting force between a magnet and a ferromagnetic material, between a magnet and a current-carrying conductor , etc.
observer force
a force deployed to an area of conflict to observe proceedings
tractive force
the force measured in the drawbar of a locomotive or tractor
volunteer force
a group of unpaid workers
air-force blue
a greyish shade of blue that is the same colour as the uniform of the Royal Air Force and the air force of some other countries
Air Force One
the US Air Force plane used by the US president
centrifugal force
In physics , centrifugal force is the force that makes objects move outwards when they are spinning around something or travelling in a curve.
Chinese translation of 'force'
force
(fɔːs)
n
(u) (= violence) 武力 (wǔlì)
⇒ We have renounced the use of force to settle our disputes.我们摈弃使用武力解决我们的争端。 (Wǒmen bìnqì shǐyòng wǔlì jiějué wǒmen de zhēngduān.)
(u) (= strength) 力量 (lìliàng)
⇒ The force of the explosion shattered the windows.爆炸的力量击碎了窗玻璃。 (Bàozhà de lìliàng jīsuìle chuāngbōlí.)
(c) (= power, influence) 势(勢)力 (shìlì)
⇒ the forces of evil邪恶势力 (xié'è shìlì)
(c/u) (Phys) 力 (lì) (个(個), gè)
⇒ the earth's gravitational force地球的重力 (dìqiú de zhònglì)
vt
(= drive, compel) 强(強)迫 (qiǎngpò)
⇒ Ought he to be forced out of the Presidency?应该强迫他离任总统一职吗？ (Yīnggāi qiǎngpò tā lírèn zǒngtǒng yī zhí ma?)
(= push) 用力推 (yònglì tuī)
⇒ I forced his head back.我用力把他的头往后推开了。 (Wǒ yònglì bǎ tā de tóu wǎng hòu tuīkāi le.)
exertion or the use of exertion against a person or thing that resists
calls for the siege to be ended by force
Synonyms
compulsion
Students learn more when they are in classes out of choice rather than compulsion.
pressure
He may be putting pressure on her to agree.
violence
I staggered back due to the violence of the blow.
enforcement
constraint
People are not morally responsible for that which they do under constraint or compulsion.
oppression
coercion
It was vital that the elections should be free of coercion or intimidation.
duress
Her confession had been made under duress.
arm-twisting (informal)
2 (noun)
Definition
strength or power
slamming the door behind her with all her force
Synonyms
power
He had no power in his left arm.
might
The might of the army could prove a decisive factor.
pressure
energy
He was saving his energy for the big race in Belgium.
stress
strength
He threw it forward with all his strength.
impact
muscle
The team showed more muscle than mental application.
momentum
This campaign is really gaining momentum.
impulse
Their impulse of broadcasting was for human rights.
stimulus
vigour
He lacks the vigour of a normal, healthy teenager.
He played with great vigour.
potency
the extraordinary potency of his personality
dynamism
a situation that calls for dynamism and new thinking
welly (slang)
life
Opposites
weakness
,
impotence
,
frailty
,
fragility
,
powerlessness
,
ineffectiveness
,
debility
,
feebleness
, irresolution, enervation
3 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing with such influence
The army was the most powerful political force.
Synonyms
agency (old-fashioned)
a negotiated settlement through the agency of the UN
means
power
medium
English is used as a medium of instruction at primary level.
influence
vehicle
Her art became a vehicle for her political beliefs.
instrument
The veto is a traditional instrument for diplomacy.
mechanism
the clumsy mechanism of price controls
instrumentality
operation
This change is due to the operation of several factors.
4 (noun)
Definition
intellectual or moral influence
He changed our world through the force of his ideas.
Synonyms
influence
They should continue to use their influence to push environmental reform.
power
the power of his rhetoric
effect
The whole effect is cool, light and airy
authority
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
weight
That argument no longer carries much weight.
strength
They have their own independence movement which is gathering strength.
punch (informal)
The film lacks punch and pace.
significance
effectiveness
the effectiveness of computers as an educational tool
validity
Some people deny the validity of this claim.
efficacy
Recent medical studies confirm the efficacy of a healthier lifestyle.
soundness
persuasiveness
cogency
bite
The novel seems to lack bite and tension.
5 (noun)
Definition
drive or intensity
I took a step back from the force of his rage.
Synonyms
intensity
His intensity, and the ferocity of his feelings alarmed me.
vigour
vehemence
He spoke loudly and with more vehemence than he had intended.
fierceness
drive
He is best remembered for his drive and enthusiasm.
emphasis
Too much emphasis is placed on research.
persistence
6 (noun)
Definition
a group of people organized for particular duties or tasks
a pan-European peace-keeping force
Synonyms
army
data collected by an army of volunteers
unit
a secret military unit
division
corps
an officer in the Army Medical Corps
company
The division consists of two tank companies and one infantry company.
body
The great body of people moved slowly forward.
host
A host of stars attended the awards ceremony.
troop
She was aware of a little troop of travellers watching them.
squad
The club is under investigation by the fraud squad.
patrol
regiment
...a regiment of hungry customers...
battalion
He was ordered to return to his battalion.
legion
The last of the Roman legions left Britain in AD 410.
squadron
detachment
a detachment of marines
1 (verb)
Definition
to compel (a person, group, etc.) to do something through effort, superior strength, etc.
They forced him to work round-the-clock.
Synonyms
compel
the introduction of legislation to compel cyclists to wear a helmet
make
You can't make me do anything.
drive
Curiosity drove me to probe into what they worked on together.
press
The trade unions are pressing him to stand firm.
pressure
He claimed the police pressured him to change his testimony.
urge
They urged parliament to approve plans for their reform programme.
overcome
oblige
This decree obliges unions to delay strikes.
railroad (informal)
constrain
Individuals will be constrained to make many sacrifices for the greater good.
necessitate
A prolonged drought had necessitated the introduction of water rationing.
coerce
He argued that the government had coerced him into resigning.
impel
I felt impelled to go on speaking.
strong-arm (informal)
dragoon
He had been dragooned into the excursion.
pressurize
He thought she was trying to pressurize him into agreeing.
press-gang
put the squeeze on (informal)
obligate
twist (someone's) arm
put the screws on (informal)
bring pressure to bear upon
2 (verb)
Definition
to impose or inflict
To force this agreement on the nation is wrong.
Synonyms
impose
foist
3 (verb)
Definition
to propel or drive despite resistance
The extra weight of the crash helmet forced my head backwards.
Synonyms
push
They pushed him into the car.
thrust
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
propel
The rocket is designed to propel the spacecraft.
4 (verb)
Definition
to break down or open (a lock, door, etc.)
The police forced the door of the flat and arrested him.
Synonyms
break open
blast
wrench
They wrenched open the passenger door and got into the car.
prise
We had to prise the story out of him.
open
wrest
She wrested the suitcase from the chauffeur's grasp.
use violence on
5 (verb)
Definition
to acquire or produce through effort, superior strength, etc.
interrogation techniques which force a confession out of a suspect
Synonyms
extort
The kidnappers extorted a huge ransom for his release.
drag
exact
He has exacted a high price for his co-operation.
wring
He hoped to put pressure on the British and wring concessions from them.
Opposites
convince
,
persuade
,
prevail
,
induce
,
coax
,
talk into
phrase
See in force
Quotations
Force without reason falls of its own weight [Horace – Odes]There is no real force without justice [Napoleon – Maxims]Where force is necessary, there it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. But one must know the limitations of force; one must know when to blend force with a manoeuvre, a blow with an agreement [Leon Trotsky – What Next?]Who overcomes By force, hath overcome but half his foe [John Milton – Paradise Lost]Force is as pitiless to the man who possesses it, or thinks he does, as it is to its victims; the second it crushes, the first it intoxicates. The truth is, nobody really possesses it [Simone Weil – The Iliad or the Poem of Force]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authority
Definition
the power to command, control, or judge others
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
Synonyms
prerogative,
right,
influence,
might,
force,
power,
control,
charge,
rule,
government,
weight,
strength,
direction,
command,
licence,
privilege,
warrant,
say-so,
sway,
domination,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of battalion
Definition
a military unit comprised of three or more companies