[+ obj] 1 : to make (someone) do something that he or she does not want to do
▪ They forced us to work long hours without pay. ▪ He was forced to resign from office. = He was forced out of office. ▪ I really have to force myself [=to make a great effort] to get up and go to work these days. 2 a : to make it necessary for (someone) to do something
▪ The flooding forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes. ▪ After seeing the evidence, I was forced to admit my error. ▪ I am forced to conclude that more funding will be necessary. ▪ The pilot was forced to land when one of the plane's engines caught fire.
b : to make (something) necessary
▪ The scandal forced his resignation. ▪ Lack of time may eventually force a compromise.
c : to cause the occurrence of (something that other people do not want to happen)
▪ They are trying to force a vote on this issue. 3 a : to move (someone or something) by physical effort
▪ The runner was forced out of bounds. ▪ Their car was forced off the road. ▪ After hours of fighting, they were able to force back the enemy. ▪ The pressure forces the water to the surface. ▪ A pump forces air into the chamber. ▪ The medicine tasted awful, but I managed to force it down. [=to swallow it by making an effort] ▪ If the key doesn't fit the lock, don't force it. [=don't use too much physical strength to make the key go into the lock]
b : to cause (something) to open by using physical effort or violence
▪ They forced (open) the door. ▪ It was clear that the door/lock had been forced. 4 : to produce (something, such as a smile) by making an effort
▪ She forced a smile. 5 baseball : to cause (a runner) to be put out by means of a force-out
▪ He was forced (out) at second base.