Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

force back

VERB
repel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase away confront drive away drive off fend off hold off rebuff resist ward off withstand
STRONG
buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse
WEAK
beat back beat off brush off cast aside drive back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down
Antonyms
STRONG
accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support
WEAK
attract draw

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.

Mayor Karen Bass has called for the department to replenish its ranks, proposing a budget that takes the force back up to 9,500.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2023

D.C.’s goal is to get the force back up to 4,000 officers.

From Washington Times • Apr. 8, 2023

With men away at the front lines, women assumed roles in the work force back home that hastened their emancipation and changed social ways forever.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2018

Fn is the reaction force back on the system, equal and opposite to Fo .

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

I squint to keep the sweat from burning my eyes, and pull with all my force back and forth until the crack starts to make a jagged opening.

From "Paper Towns" by John Green