force
gb/fˈɔɹs/ us/fˈɔɹs/
B1
Anglais
~ 900
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
entity
1
physical power or strength
Power or strength that can move or change something.
Schéma d’usage :
the force of [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'force' with 'strength'. 'Strength' is the ability to exert power; 'force' is the actual power being applied.
Synonymes
strength (Refers broadly to physical power, not always active or applied like 'force'.)
Antonymes
weakness (Lack of physical power or strength.)
Collocations
use force
|with force
|brute force
|force of nature
Thèmes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The wind hit the windows with great force.
- He used all his force to push the door open.
- The force of the explosion shattered the glass.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He pushed the box with force.
- The ball hit me with force.
- The wind has a lot of force today.
Nom
B1
entity
2
organized group for a purpose
A group of people who work together for a job, often in the army or police.
Schéma d’usage :
a [type] force
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'force' with 'team'. A team is usually smaller and not necessarily official like a police or military force.
Synonymes
unit (A smaller, specific group within a larger organization.)
Antonymes
individual (A single person rather than a group.)
Collocations
police force
|armed forces
|task force
|security forces
Thèmes
military
|work
|law
|politics
Exemples
- The police force is investigating the crime.
- He joined the armed forces after graduation.
- A special task force was sent to handle the situation.
Exemples pédagogiques
- My brother is in the police force.
- The armed forces protect the country.
- The task force will clean the park.
Verbe
B1
action
3
make someone do unwillingly
To make a person do something when they do not want to.
Schéma d’usage :
to force [someone] to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use 'make' instead of 'force'. 'Make' can be neutral; 'force' implies unwillingness or resistance.
Synonymes
compel (More formal; often used in legal or serious contexts.)
Antonymes
persuade (Encourage someone willingly instead of making them do it.)
Collocations
force someone to act
|force entry
|force a smile
Thèmes
emotions
|law
|relationships
Exemples
- They forced him to sign the document.
- The storm forced us to stay indoors.
- She forced a smile despite feeling sad.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He forced me to go with him.
- The rain forced us to stop playing.
- She forced him to eat the food.
Nom
technical
B2
entity
4
push or pull in physics
In science, a push or pull that moves something or changes its shape.
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse 'energy' with 'force'. Energy is capacity to do work; force is an interaction causing motion change.
Synonymes
thrust (A specific type of push in a given direction.)
Antonymes
resistance (An opposing influence that prevents motion.)
Collocations
gravitational force
|centripetal force
|net force
Thèmes
science
Exemples
- Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward Earth.
- The net force determines how an object accelerates.
- Friction is a force that slows things down.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Gravity is a force.
- Friction is a kind of force.
- A push is a type of force.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
force
API
GB/fˈɔɹs/
US/fˈɔɹs/
Syllabes et accentuation
force (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (force)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: force
- Plural: force, forces
Verb
- Base: force
- 3rd Person Singular: forces
- Present Participle: forcing
- Past: forced
Famille de mots
Forms
forces
noun
forcing
verb
forced
verb
Core family
forceful
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unforced
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
by force
1/bˈaɪ fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
using physical power or violence
Using physical power to make something happen.
Exemples
- The soldiers took control of the building by force.
- He entered the room by force after breaking the lock.
force someone's hand
1/fˈɔɹs sˈʌmwˌʌnz hˈænd/
idiom
make someone act sooner than wanted
To make someone do something earlier than they wanted to.
Exemples
- The sudden news forced her hand, and she announced her decision immediately.
- His competitor's actions forced his hand in making an offer.
forced smile
1/fˈɔɹst smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
smile without genuine feeling
A smile that is not real, made because you have to.
Exemples
- She gave him a forced smile and walked away.
- His forced smile showed he was uncomfortable.
in force
1/ˈɪn fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
present in numbers or legally active
Happening with many people present, or officially active (law).
Exemples
- Police were out in force during the parade.
- The new regulations are now in force.
use force
1/jˈuz fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
apply physical power intentionally
To use physical power to do something.
Exemples
- The officer had no choice but to use force to stop the attack.
- We must try to solve this without using force.