force-feed

verb

force-fed ˈfȯrs-ˌfed How to pronounce force-feed (audio) ; force-feeding

transitive verb

1
: to feed (a person or an animal) by forcible administration of food
2
: to force to take in
force-feed students the classics
also used with a single object
force-feed the classics to students
force-feed students with the classics

Examples of force-feed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Take for example, the first victim portrays gluttony: a man affected by obesity is force-fed literally to death via hemorrhage. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023 But surely any officer in the King’s army would have been force-fed Virgil at school? Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2023 The bitterly ironic ending stops short of force-feeding just desserts to all of the characters. Joe Leydon, Variety, 21 Oct. 2023 The other is like being force-fed a bowl of pudding made out of lard and skim milk. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2023 But for now, the studio served up a piece of video that is trailer-esque, but played more like being rapidly force-fed a Day-Glo seafood buffet into your eye-holes. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Sep. 2023 The prosecution said Letby force-fed the babies milk, poisoned some with insulin and injected others with air. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 21 Aug. 2023 More density requires water, sewer, utilities, and parking to be planned rather than force-fed into neighborhoods. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2023 Most parents don’t want progressive dogma force-fed to their children in school. Andrea Picciotti-Bayer, National Review, 1 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'force-feed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of force-feed was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near force-feed

Cite this Entry

“Force-feed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/force-feed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

force-feed

verb
ˈfō(ə)rs-ˌfēd,
ˈfȯ(ə)rs-
force-fed
-ˌfed
; force-feeding
1
: to feed (an animal or person) by forcefully giving food
2
: to force to take in
force-feed the classics to students

More from Merriam-Webster on force-feed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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