by force

phrase

: using physical power
He took the purse from her by force.

Examples of by force in a Sentence

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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.
But Qaddafi’s military forces were decisively defeated by Western airpower and his objective of crushing a popular uprising by force was rendered impossible. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 Rahadian says he was drawn to a story of motherhood told through children whose mother was missing from their lives, set in a moment when a person’s citizenship could be taken away suddenly, by force and without warning. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Paraguay and Belize are among the last 12 remaining diplomatic allies of Taiwan, an island democracy China sees as its own territory, to be annexed by force if necessary. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Statements from Ethiopian officials contemplating the acquisition of the Eritrean port of Assab by force have caused alarm in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for by force

Rhymes for by force

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Browse Nearby Words

by fits
by force
by force of arms
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Cite this Entry

“By force.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20force. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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