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Dictionary.com
Definitions

in force

ADJECTIVE
active
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alive effective operating
STRONG
flowing functioning going mobile movable operative progressive pushing rapid rolling running rushing rustling shifting simmering speeding streaming traveling turning walking working
WEAK
astir at work bustling efficacious exertive hasty impelling in play in process moving restless speedy swarming
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed inoperative unmovable unworking
WEAK
abeyant disinterested dormant idle immobile inactive indifferent inert lazy quiescent quiet sluggish
ADJECTIVE
effective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active direct dynamic
WEAK
actual current in effect in execution in operation operative real
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inactive
WEAK
fruitless impotent incapable ineffective inoperative unproductive useless weak
ADJECTIVE
effectual
Synonyms
STRONG
effective efficacious
WEAK
accomplishing achieving adequate binding capable conclusive decisive determinative effecting efficient forcible fulfilling lawful legal licit potent powerful practicable productive qualified serviceable sound strong successful telling useful valid virtuous workable
Antonyms
STRONG
incapable unproductive useless
WEAK
impotent ineffectual unsuccessful weak
ADJECTIVE
going
Synonyms
STRONG
bustling flowing functioning impelling mobile movable moving operating operative progressive pushing rapid rolling running rushing rust
WEAK
alive astir at work effective efficacious exertive hasty in play in process restless
Antonyms
STRONG
fixed immobile permanent stationary unmovable
ADJECTIVE
operative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
operational usable
STRONG
current dynamic employable indicative key open running standing working
WEAK
accessible alive crucial effective efficient functional important in operation live practicable relevant serviceable significant workable
Antonyms
STRONG
passive
WEAK
inactive ineffective ineffectual inoperative unfunctional unworking useless worthless
ADJECTIVE
valid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accurate authentic binding compelling conclusive credible good lawful legal legitimate logical original persuasive solid true well-founded
WEAK
attested authoritative bona fide cogent confirmed convincing determinative efficacious efficient good-faith irrefutable just kosher legit official potent powerful proven pure sound stringent strong substantial telling tested trustworthy ultimate unadulterated unanswerable uncorrupted weighty well-grounded
Antonyms
STRONGEST
counterfeit evil fake false illegal illegitimate illicit improbable invalid unlawful unlikely unreal unreliable untrustworthy wrong
WEAK
unacceptable unsound
ADJECTIVE
working
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alive busy employed engaged functioning running
STRONG
dynamic going laboring live moving operative
WEAK
effective hot in a job in full swing in gear in process on fire on the job on track practical useful viable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
idle inactive unemployed unengaged
WEAK
inoperative passive unoccupied

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.

After meeting Trump, Rutte told reporters that the U.S. is also trying to ensure that any arrangement they reach with the Danes and Greenlanders remains in force if Greenland achieves independence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

By Sunday the worst of the weather should begin to ease although some yellow warnings will remain in force.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

And yet Petzold’s gift for seasoning truth with elusiveness is fully in force, giving this airy yet ghost-charged rescue story a welcome intelligence to go with its unforced emotion.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

She blames this, in part, on a reduction in force at the Department of Education.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

Although lexicographers have neither the desire nor the power to prevent linguistic conventions from changing, this does not mean, as purists fear, that they cannot state the conventions in force at a given time.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker