Force vs. Thrust: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 30, 2024
Force is a general term for any interaction that changes the motion of an object, whereas thrust is a specific type of force that propels objects forward.
Key Differences
Force is a broad concept in physics, referring to any interaction that can change the motion of an object. Thrust, on the other hand, is a specific type of force that is directed in one direction, often used to describe the force that propels objects forward, such as rockets or airplanes.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 30, 2024
Force encompasses various forms including gravitational, electromagnetic, and nuclear forces. Thrust is a reaction force described by Newton's third law of motion, specifically applied to situations where a system expels or accelerates mass in one direction, and the accelerated mass causes a force of equal magnitude but opposite direction to be exerted on that system.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 30, 2024
In everyday language, 'force' can refer to strength or power exerted by a person or object, while 'thrust' is often used to describe a sudden or forceful push. In technical contexts, force is measured in Newtons, while thrust, being a type of force, is also measured in Newtons but is specifically associated with propulsion.
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Jan 30, 2024
The concept of force is fundamental in physics and affects all objects with mass. Thrust, however, is a more specialized term, primarily relevant in contexts involving propulsion, like aerospace engineering or mechanical systems.
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Jan 30, 2024
In summary, while all thrust is a force, not all forces are thrust. Force is a more general term, whereas thrust is specific to scenarios involving propulsion and directional acceleration.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 30, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Interaction changing an object's motion
Specific force causing forward movement
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Jan 30, 2024
Application
General, in various physics contexts
Specific, mainly in propulsion systems
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Jan 30, 2024
Common Usage
Broad, in many physical scenarios
Specific, related to pushing or propelling
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Jan 30, 2024
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Force and Thrust Definitions
Force
Strength or energy exerted or brought to bear.
The force of the wind knocked down the tree.
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Jan 03, 2024
Thrust
To push suddenly and strongly.
He thrust the door open with his shoulder.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
A natural power or effect that is able to change the motion of an object.
Gravity is a force that attracts objects towards each other.
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Jan 03, 2024
Thrust
The propulsive force of a jet or rocket engine.
The rocket's thrust propelled it into orbit.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
The capacity to do work or cause physical change; energy, strength, or active power
The force of an explosion.
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Jan 02, 2024
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Thrust
To impose or force acceptance.
The new policy was thrust upon the employees.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
Power made operative against resistance; exertion
Use force in driving a nail.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
A sudden or violent lunge.
The fencer made a quick thrust with her sword.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
The use of physical power or violence to compel or restrain
A confession obtained by force.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To push or drive quickly and forcefully
Thrust a pole into the ground.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Intellectual power or vigor, especially as conveyed in writing or speech.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To cause to project or extend
Poplars thrusting their branches upward.
Thrust out his finger.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To force into a specified condition or situation
He was thrust into a position of awesome responsibility.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A capacity for affecting the mind or behavior; efficacy
The force of logical argumentation.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To force or impose on an unwilling or improper recipient
"Some have greatness thrust upon them" (Shakespeare).
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Force
A body of persons or other resources organized or available for a certain purpose
A large labor force.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To shove something into or at something else
Thrust at his opponent's chest with a foil.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A person or group capable of influential action
A retired senator who is still a force in national politics.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To grow or extend upwards
"The cathedral ... thrust up suddenly, much taller than the surrounding houses" (Leonard Michaels).
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To force one's way; press forward
"I watched a young hare thrust through periwinkle under the window" (Sam Pickering).
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A unit of a nation's military personnel, especially one deployed into combat
Our armed forces have at last engaged the enemy.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A vector quantity indicating the strength and direction of the capacity to accelerate a body. Newton's second law of motion states that a free body accelerates in the direction of the net force and that its acceleration is directly proportional to the force and inversely proportional to its mass.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The forward-directed force developed in a jet or rocket engine as a reaction to the high-velocity rearward ejection of exhaust gases.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To compel through pressure or necessity
I forced myself to practice daily. He was forced to take a second job.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Outward or lateral stress in a structure, as that exerted by an arch or vault.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To move or effect against resistance or inertia
Forced my foot into the shoe.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The central purpose or objective
The whole thrust of the project was to make money.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
A forceful movement, especially an advance or attack by an armed force.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(fencing) An attack made by moving the sword parallel to its length and landing with the point.
Pierre was a master swordsman, and could parry the thrusts of lesser men with barely a thought.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
A push, stab, or lunge forward (the act thereof.)
The cutpurse tried to knock her satchel from her hands, but she avoided his thrust and yelled, "Thief!"
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To produce with effort and against one's will
Force a laugh in spite of pain.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The force generated by propulsion, as in a jet engine.
Tractive effort
Spacecraft are engineering marvels, designed to resist the thrust of liftoff, as well as the reverse pressure of the void.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(figuratively) The primary effort; the goal.
Ostensibly, the class was about public health in general, but the main thrust was really sex education.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(intransitive) To make advance with force.
We thrust at the enemy with our forces.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(transitive) To force something upon someone.
I asked her not to thrust the responsibility on me.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(transitive) To push out or extend rapidly or powerfully.
He thrust his arm into the icy stream and grabbed a wriggling fish, astounding the observers.
Towers thrusting skyward.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To induce change in (a complex system) by changing one of its parameters
Greenhouse gases that force the earth's climate.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
(transitive) To push or drive with force; to shove.
To thrust anything with the hand or foot, or with an instrument
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(Botany) To cause to grow or mature by artificially accelerating normal processes.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To allow (a run) to be scored by walking a batter when the bases are loaded.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
A violent push or driving, as with a pointed weapon moved in the direction of its length, or with the hand or foot, or with any instrument; a stab; - a word much used as a term of fencing.
[Polites] Pyrrhus with his lance pursues,And often reaches, and his thrusts renews.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigour; might; capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect.
The force of an appeal, an argument, or a contract
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The force or pressure of one part of a construction against other parts; especially (Arch.), a horizontal or diagonal outward pressure, as of an arch against its abutments, or of rafters against the wall which support them.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(countable) Anything that is able to make a substantial change in a person or thing.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The breaking down of the roof of a gallery under its superincumbent weight.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A physical quantity that denotes ability to push, pull, twist or accelerate a body and which has a direction and is measured in a unit dimensioned in mass × distance/time² (ML/T²): SI: newton (N); CGS: dyne (dyn)
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To push or drive with force; to drive, force, or impel; to shove; as, to thrust anything with the hand or foot, or with an instrument.
Into a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Something or anything that has the power to produce a physical effect upon something else, such as causing it to move or change shape.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(countable) A group that aims to attack, control, or constrain.
Reinforcemented increased the American force in the area to 9,000
Police force
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To make a push; to attack with a pointed weapon; as, a fencer thrusts at his antagonist.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(uncountable) The ability to attack, control, or constrain.
Show of force
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To enter by pushing; to squeeze in.
And thrust between my father and the god.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(countable) A magic trick in which the outcome is known to the magician beforehand, especially one involving the apparent free choice of a card by another person.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
To push forward; to come with force; to press on; to intrude.
As doth an eager houndThrust to an hind within some covert glade.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The force used in pushing;
The push of the water on the walls of the tank
The thrust of the jet engines
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(legal) Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion.
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Thrust
A thrusting blow with a knife or other sharp pointed instrument;
One strong stab to the heart killed him
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The act of applying force to propel something;
After reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
|often|capitalized}}Star Wars A metaphysical and ubiquitous power from the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. See usage note.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Verbal criticism;
He enlivened his editorials with barbed thrusts at politicians
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
A sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow);
He warned me with a jab with his finger
He made a thrusting motion with his fist
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Press or force;
Stuff money into an envelope
She thrust the letter into his hand
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably;
She forced her diet fads on him
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(transitive) To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(transitive) To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb).
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(transitive) To cause to occur (despite inertia, resistance etc.); to produce through force.
The comedian's jokes weren't funny, but I forced a laugh now and then.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Push upward;
The front of the trains that had collided head-on thrust up into the air
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
Place or put with great energy;
She threw the blanket around the child
Thrust the money in the hands of the beggar
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.
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Jan 02, 2024
Thrust
The main point or meaning of something.
The thrust of his argument was undeniable.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
To create an out by touching a base in advance of a runner who has no base to return to while in possession of a ball which has already touched the ground.
Jones forced the runner at second by stepping on the bag.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To stuff; to lard; to farce.
Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To constrain to do or to forbear, by the exertion of a power not resistible; to compel by physical, moral, or intellectual means; to coerce; as, masters force slaves to labor.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To do violence to; to overpower, or to compel by violence to one's will; especially, to ravish; to violate; to commit rape upon.
To force their monarch and insult the court.
I should have forced thee soon wish other arms.
To force a spotless virgin's chastity.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To obtain, overcome, or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress; as, to force the castle; to force a lock.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To impel, drive, wrest, extort, get, etc., by main strength or violence; - with a following adverb, as along, away, from, into, through, out, etc.
It stuck so fast, so deeply buried layThat scarce the victor forced the steel away.
To force the tyrant from his seat by war.
Ethelbert ordered that none should be forced into religion.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
What can the church force more?
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To exert to the utmost; to urge; hence, to strain; to urge to excessive, unnatural, or untimely action; to produce by unnatural effort; as, to force a conceit or metaphor; to force a laugh; to force fruits.
High on a mounting wave my head I bore,Forcing my strength, and gathering to the shore.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To provide with forces; to reënforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
For me, I force not argument a straw.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To use violence; to make violent effort; to strive; to endeavor.
Forcing with gifts to win his wanton heart.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To make a difficult matter of anything; to labor; to hesitate; hence, to force of, to make much account of; to regard.
Your oath once broke, you force not to forswear.
I force not of such fooleries.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To be of force, importance, or weight; to matter.
It is not sufficient to have attained the name and dignity of a shepherd, not forcing how.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Capacity of exercising an influence or producing an effect; strength or energy of body or mind; active power; vigor; might; often, an unusual degree of strength or energy; especially, power to persuade, or convince, or impose obligation; pertinency; validity; special signification; as, the force of an appeal, an argument, a contract, or a term.
He was, in the full force of the words, a good man.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion; as, by force of arms; to take by force.
Which now they hold by force, and not by right.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Strength or power for war; hence, a body of land or naval combatants, with their appurtenances, ready for action; - an armament; troops; warlike array; - often in the plural; hence, a body of men prepared for action in other ways; as, the laboring force of a plantation; the armed forces.
Is Lucius general of the forces?
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary to law, upon persons or things; violence.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Any action between two bodies which changes, or tends to change, their relative condition as to rest or motion; or, more generally, which changes, or tends to change, any physical relation between them, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, magnetic, or of any other kind; as, the force of gravity; cohesive force; centrifugal force.
Thy tears are of no force to mollifyThis flinty man.
More huge in strength than wise in works he was.
Adam and first matron EveHad ended now their orisons, and foundStrength added from above, new hope to springOut of despair.
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A unit that is part of some military service;
He sent Caesar a force of six thousand men
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
One possessing or exercising power or influence or authority;
The mysterious presence of an evil power
May the force be with you
The forces of evil
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
(physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity;
Force equals mass times acceleration
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Group of people willing to obey orders;
A public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A powerful effect or influence;
The force of his eloquence easily persuaded them
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
An act of aggression (as one against a person who resists);
He may accomplish by craft in the long run what he cannot do by force and violence in the short one
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Physical energy or intensity;
He hit with all the force he could muster
It was destroyed by the strength of the gale
A government has not the vitality and forcefulness of a living man
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
A group of people having the power of effective action;
He joined forces with a band of adventurers
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
To cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :
She forced him to take a job in the city
He squeezed her for information
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably;
She forced her diet fads on him
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Squeeze like a wedge into a tight space;
I squeezed myself into the corner
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically;
She rammed her mind into focus
He drives me mad
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Jan 02, 2024
Force
Influence or power used to achieve a purpose.
She used force of personality to persuade the team.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
A unit of physical power.
The force of the explosion was measured in megatons.
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Jan 03, 2024
Force
An organized group of military personnel.
The air force launched a rescue operation.
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Jan 03, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is thrust only related to rockets?
No, it's applicable to any propulsion system.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 30, 2024
Is thrust always in one direction?
Yes, opposite to the expelled mass direction.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 30, 2024
Is thrust only used in engineering?
No, it's also a concept in physics and other sciences.
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Jan 30, 2024
Does higher thrust mean faster speed?
Generally, but depends on other factors too.
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Jan 30, 2024
How does force affect motion?
It can start, stop, or change an object's direction.
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Jan 30, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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Hifza Nasir
