FORCEFUL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does forceful mean? 

• FORCEFUL (adjective)
  The adjective FORCEFUL has 2 senses:

1. characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical)

2. forceful and definite in expression or action

  Familiarity information: FORCEFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORCEFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical)

Context example:

a forceful plan for peace

Similar:

bruising (brutally forceful and compelling)

drastic (forceful and extreme and rigorous)

emphatic; exclamatory (sudden and strong)

firm; strong (strong and sure)

forcible; physical; strong-arm (impelled by physical force especially against resistance)

impellent (forcing forward or onward; impelling)

impetuous (marked by violent force)

sharp (quick and forceful)

Antonym:

forceless (lacking force; feeble)

Derivation:

forcefulness (physical energy or intensity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Forceful and definite in expression or action

Synonyms:

emphatic; forceful

Context example:

the document contained a particularly emphatic guarantee of religious liberty

Similar:

assertive; self-asserting; self-assertive (aggressively self-assured)

Derivation:

forcefulness (physical energy or intensity)

 Context examples 

His reply was in a way characteristic of him, for it was logical and forceful and mysterious.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The tears result from retching or forceful coughing.

(Mallory-Weiss Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

An unpleasant sensation of irregular and/or forceful beating of the heart.

(Palpitation, NCI Thesaurus)

Forceful administration into a muscle of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the muscle and any tissue covering it.

(Intramuscular Route of Administration, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Pinching your nose while clamping your mouth shut to contain a forceful sneeze isn't a good idea, warn doctors.

(Blocking A Sneeze, Man Ruptures Throat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The young man explained that he had developed a popping sensation in his neck which immediately swelled up after he tried to contain a forceful sneeze by pinching his nose and keeping his mouth clamped shut at the same time.

(Blocking A Sneeze, Man Ruptures Throat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

As he went on, however, he grew more angry and more forceful, till in the end we could not but see wherein was at least some of that personal dominance which made him so long a master amongst men:—Yes, it is necessary—necessary—necessary! For your sake in the first, and then for the sake of humanity.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)