Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of force
"The general ordered his forces to advance across the river at dawn."
troops (plural only).
In plain English: Forces are pushes or pulls that change how something moves or stays still.
"The heavy rain and strong winds forced us to cancel our outdoor picnic plans."
Usage: Use "forces" as a plural noun when referring to an organized group of military troops or personnel. Do not use it as a singular verb meaning to compel someone to act, which requires the form "force."
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of force
"The storm forces all boats to seek shelter in the harbor before sunset."
In plain English: To force something means to make it happen by using strong pressure or power.
"The new regulations force companies to recycle all their packaging."
Usage: Use "forces" to describe when someone or something compels another person to do something against their will or makes an event happen inevitably. Remember that this third-person singular form requires the subject to be he, she, it, or a singular noun like "the rain."
Derived from the Old French force, this term originally meant physical strength, power, or violence. It entered English in the 14th century to denote both individual vigor and organized military units.