Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

be in force

VERB
hold
Synonyms
STRONGEST
last operate remain stay
STRONG
apply exist persevere persist resist wear
WEAK
be in effect be the case be valid have bearing hold good hold true remain true stand up stay staunch
Antonyms
STRONGEST
go leave
STRONG
give up quit stop
WEAK
abandon cancel cease desert disbelieve drop forsake halt let go release

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scottish ministers approved the new by-law and it will be in force until 30 September every year.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

The US president insisted the deal gave Washington "everything we wanted" and will be in force "forever", but both Rutte and Trump gave scant details on what was agreed.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Yellow warnings have been issued by the Met Office for snow and ice across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; they will be in force between midnight and noon on 2 January.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

The red warning for the whole of Northern Ireland will be in force from 07:00 GMT to 14:00 on Friday, affecting the morning rush hour.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2025

Sometimes it would be in force in a banzai attack.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac