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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

The United States has stumbled on this effect several times, but perhaps most powerfully in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, when it sought to force back its Communist adversaries by bombing their towns and cities.

From New York Times • Oct. 11, 2022

Meanwhile, the Canucks got an offensive force back in Brock Boeser.

From Washington Times • Nov. 28, 2018

The wall has exerted an equal and opposite force back on the swimmer.

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