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 The Bills won’t be force-feeding the humble Shakir. Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2024 During her previous 10-month trial at Manchester Crown Court in 2022 and 2023, prosecutors accused Letby of force-feeding infants' milk, poisoning some with insulin and injecting others with air. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 5 July 2024 The woman is also accused of force-feeding some children and carrying one child upside down by the ankle while strapped to a chair, WTAE reported. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 3 July 2024 Conservative orthodoxy at the national level holds that parents must be given an out from a failing public education system that force-feeds children progressive fads. Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 1 July 2024 During her 10-month trial in Manchester Crown Court, prosecutors accused her of force-feeding infants’ milk, poisoning some with insulin and injecting others with air. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024 See George Wallace force-feeding Mulaney very vanilla cake with a giant silver spoon and crossing everyone’s boundaries, minus Richard Kind’s (true love). Vulture Staff, Vulture, 13 May 2024 Anthony Volpe looked like a much tougher out to me before the Yankees force-fed him into the leadoff spot. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 4 May 2024 The authorities retaliated by brutally force-feeding them—treatment that, when publicized, shocked the nation. Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020

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 5 Oct. 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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