force-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: compel or coerce to do something without offering choice

Commentary: Syntax Includes: NP1[agent] FORCE NP2[patient] [predicate] NP1[agent] FORCE NP2[patient[predicate]] (PP) Includes: idiom FORCE ONE'S HAND, FORCE OUT
NOTE: Sometimes, the coerced action is not explicitly stated, but implied by the context.
NOTE: Unlike the second sense, this sense implies a certain authoritative or imposed control and influence.

Examples:
The economic downturn forced many families to move away.
She basically forced her son to break up with his girlfriend.
The firm was forced to pay several million dollars in patent infringements.
Sally is going to show me how to force lilies and hyacinth to bloom.
They forced a runner out at third in the seventh inning.
The front runner of the marathon forced the rest of the pack to pick up their pace.
The front runner of the marathon is forcing a brutal pace on the rest of the pack.
Their alliance may finally force the administration's hand to declare its intentions.
I couldn't stay at their flat - I'd feel as if I was forcing myself on them.
I didn't actually want any more dessert, but Julia forced it on me.
You could tell he was having to force back the tears.
He forced himself to remain calm when the primary hose of his regulator blew.
Mary may force John's hand by dating the new guy at work.
The used car salesman forced a smile at the couple.
I can't bear it when someone starts ramming their views down your throat.
The police forced the robbers out from their hiding place.
The civil war has forced many people out of their homes.
It took Bob four months to force the dead-beat tenants out of his rental unit.
The driving rain forced us back into the tent.

Mappings:
VerbNet: force-59
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: force.01,force.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 4, 6
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
force_out 3, 4, 5

Sense Number 2: use physical strength something to move, open, or relocate

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] FORCE NP2[patient] (PP[directional]) Includes: FORCE OUT
NOTE: Unlike the first sense, this sense has no influence involved. Only requires raw strength.

Examples:
Perhaps we can force the bookcase another two inches against the wall.
We managed to force one more person in the back seat of the VW bug.
He forced the old tree stump out of the ground and down the hill with a two-mule team.
He forced the lock with a wire.
If you force the zip, it'll break.
She forced her way through the crowds.
I forgot my key, so I had to force a window.
The police had forced open the door because nobody had answered.
The burglar forced an entry.
She forced out the last of the toothpaste from the tube.
I can't seem to force this splinter out with my fingernail.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Cause_motion
PropBank: force.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3, 5, 8, 7, 9
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
force_out 6, 7, 8

Sense Number 3: FORCE BACK-repulse, repel

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] FORCE BACK NP2[patient]

Examples:
The villagers forced back the enemy with heroic effort.
No one can force back the ravages of time.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
force_back 1

Sense Number 4: FORCE OUT-oust or dismiss someone

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[agent] FORCE OUT NP2[patient] (PP{P NP[location]})

Examples:
He was forced out of office because of the scandal.
The merger may force out most of the management of the acquired company.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
force_out 1, 2