Forcing

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈfɔː(ɹ).sɪŋ/

Definitions

1. The act of applying pressure or compulsion to make something yield or comply ; the act of causing an event or result to occur deliberately
2. Exerting physical or mental pressure to achieve a desired outcome ; initiating a process or effect by intentional intervention
3. Using strength or authority to drive an action or decision ; bringing about change or action through deliberate influence

Etymology: "Forcing" is the present participle and gerund of "force," so its history is that of the verb it comes from. The source offers only the plain analysis: "force" with the "-ing" ending added. That ending, which turns a verb into a participle or gerund, is one of the most productive suffixes in English, so "forcing" needs no special explanation beyond that. The base word "force" carries the core meaning. It came into English from Old French "force," meaning strength or violence, which in turn traces back to Latin "fortia," the plural of "fortis," meaning strong. The sense of compelling someone to do something, which gives the present meaning of making someone comply, grows naturally out of that older idea of applied strength.

Synonyms: compelling, coercing, pressuring, obliging, constraining

Antonyms: allowing, permitting, releasing, liberating, aiding