forceful

adjective

force·​ful ˈfȯrs-fəl How to pronounce forceful (audio)
: possessing or filled with force : effective
a forceful argument
forcefulness noun

Examples of forceful in a Sentence

He has a very forceful personality. She's a confident and forceful leader. They have made a forceful argument in favor of changing the system. The government has threatened to use more forceful measures if necessary.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Harmon’s forceful interior presence and pass-rushing skills are needed as Green Bay waits for other recent first-round linemen to improve. Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 But after more forceful stimulus was announced late last year, analysts started to predict a bottom could come as soon as later this year. Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 21 Mar. 2025 She was so thrown off with how forceful Selena was being; everything happened so fast. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 17 Mar. 2025 The sound continued to grow louder, becoming more forceful, as if something were flapping or beating at the wall. Hazlitt, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forceful

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forceful was in 1571

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Cite this Entry

“Forceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forceful. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

forceful

adjective
force·​ful ˈfōrs-fəl How to pronounce forceful (audio)
ˈfȯrs-
: having or done with much force : vigorous
a forceful speech
forcefully adverb
forcefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on forceful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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