adjective
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powerful
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persuasive or effective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of forceful
Explanation
Something forceful is strong and firm. A politician's forceful speech is self-assured and energetic, and it makes the audience sit up and take notice. One meaning of forceful is all about physical strength: "The forceful throw carried the football past the goalposts." Another way to be forceful is to be emphatic or vehement: "The child's forceful refusal to go to bed could not be ignored by the sleepy babysitter." Forceful literally means "full of force," and force comes from the Latin fortis, "strong, firm, or steadfast."
Vocabulary lists containing forceful
Stay Strong: Forc and Fort
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 5
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Vigorous Vocab: Synonyms for "Strong"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These are very common in modern dentistry and often linked to tooth grinding, forceful brushing, or acidic drinks.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
And Caligiuri is as bold and forceful with an opinion as he once was with a soccer ball.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
However, with eurozone inflation expected to remain above target into next year, eyes now turn to how forceful the ECB’s communication next week will be over its concerns of runaway price growth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
Officials in Nevada, where casinos prosper, have emerged as some of the most forceful opponents of prediction markets.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
He's definitely old, but I can see why Olga was attracted to him; there’s something about the way he walks that’s forceful, magnetic.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
