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forceful

forceful

62 4.3
Showing strong power and clear confidence in speech or actions
  • adjective
  • /ˈfɔrsfəl/
translation icon : enérgico
  • She adopted a forceful tone when expressing her concerns to the committee.
  • a forceful statement
  • forceful action
  • more forceful

Rather, mastery was by nature a forceful collective assault.

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Examples

  • Do you think you could be a little more forceful next time?

  • Your aunt must have been quite a forceful woman.

  • We need to be very forceful in all three of those things.

  • And so I probably should have been a little bit more forceful early on.

  • The will of the Church was forceful.

  • At times she sounds strong and forceful; at times she can barely hold it together.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I gather Mrs. Castle is quite a forceful woman.

  • And then she said, 'I really admire the strong, forceful lines in your paintings.'

    Fiction book (1996)
  • You're so much more forceful than the other one.

  • Karinga was a very forceful person in terms of expressing his point of view.

Synonyms

strong
vsforceful
1.0

Having great power or influence over people

focuses more on confident expression rather than pure capacity
powerful
vsforceful
1.7

Having great physical strength, like a strong machine or person

emphasizes confident expression of strength in actions and opinions
aggressive
vsforceful
248 3.6

Determined and energetic in trying to reach goals

also covers confident expression of opinions and physical strength
fierce
vsforceful
220 3.0

Showing great power, anger or passion

is focused on confident strength across actions and opinions, not only aggression
formidable
vsforceful
133 7.0

A person or thing that is very powerful and makes people feel respect and fear

is about expressing confidence and strength rather than causing fear
vocal
vsforceful
87 4.9

Saying opinions clearly and strongly in public

adds an element of confident physical or authoritative strength beyond speech
assertive
vsforceful
42 4.2

Showing confidence when saying what you want or think

includes confident assertion but also physical or powerful expression
emphatic
vsforceful
23 5.2

It shows strong feeling and makes a point clearly

covers emphasis plus confident physical or opinionated expression broadly
strident
vsforceful
22 7.2

Very loud and harsh in a way that feels unpleasant

is broader, not necessarily harsh or unpleasant in tone
hard-hitting
vsforceful
  • Literature
17 5.6

Direct and strong speech, writing, or action that shocks people

is broader, applying to confident strength beyond only direct speech
vehement
vsforceful
  • Formal
11 7.7

Showing very strong feeling that is hard to ignore

is less about emotion intensity and more about confident strength
in-your-face
vsforceful
  • Informal
8 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

can be confident without being openly confrontational or aggressive
muscly
vsforceful
  • Informal
1 4.8

Having a powerful, direct style that makes a strong impression

is wider, covering confident strength in speech, opinion, and physical action
self-assertive
vsforceful
7.0

Being confident and forceful when you speak or act, sometimes sounding rude

is similar but without implying others find it unwelcome

Antonyms

524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

60 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

How Forceful

powerful
1.7
strong
1.0
forceful
62 4.3
firm
73 2.7
assertive
42 4.2
gentle
235 1.0
mild
107 1.0

Surface Forms

forceful positive
forcefuller comparative
forcefullest superlative

Morphology

forceful = force (transparent) = force + ful

Direct adjectival formation from the noun 'force' with the productive suffix '-ful' meaning 'full of or characterized by force'.

Etymology

The word forceful comes from force meaning 'strength' or 'power' and the ending -ful meaning 'full of'. So a forceful person or action is 'full of force', strong and confident.