# forcing

/ˈfɔɹsɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɔːsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/forcing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. using pressure or power

verb · CEFR B1

making someone do something they do not want to do, or using physical strength to move something.

For teachers: the act of compelling an agent to act against their will or using physical exertion to overcome resistance.

- The company was forcing its employees to work late every night without extra pay.
- By forcing the issue during the board meeting, the CEO effectively silenced the opposition before they could present their counter-arguments.

### 2. gardening

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

growing plants or flowers earlier in the year than usual by using heat or light.

For teachers: the horticultural practice of inducing a plant to grow or bloom outside of its natural season, typically through temperature control.

- Forcing rhubarb in the dark makes it grow faster and taste sweeter.
- The commercial nursery specialises in the forcing of lilies to ensure a steady supply for the early spring market.

### 3. climate science

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

a change in the energy balance of the Earth, often causing temperatures to rise.

For teachers: the influence that a factor has on the amount of energy that the Earth receives or loses.

- Scientists study how greenhouse gases contribute to climate forcing.
- Radiative forcing is a key metric used to quantify the impact of various atmospheric constituents on the global energy budget.

### 4. card games

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

in games like bridge, a move that requires your partner to keep playing.

For teachers: describing a bid or play that obligates a partner to continue the sequence rather than passing.

- He made a forcing bid, so his partner had to describe her hand further.
- The responder's jump shift is a forcing move in this system, ensuring the auction remains open until a game-level contract is reached.

## Examples

- The rain is forcing us to stay inside today.
- The heavy snow is forcing the airport to cancel all flights until the runways are cleared.
- Economic pressures are forcing many small businesses to reconsider their traditional brick-and-mortar models in favor of more agile, digital-first strategies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.