forcée

Forcée is the feminine singular form of the past participle of the French verb forcer, meaning to force. As a participle, it functions as an adjective and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It is used to indicate that someone or something has been subjected to force or coercion, and it appears in passive constructions or in expressions of obligation.

In practice, forcée appears in two main uses. First, in passive or semi-passive constructions, where the action is carried out by an agent: la porte a été forcée par des cambrioleurs (the door was forced open by burglars). Second, in the expression of obligation or compulsion, with de + infinitive: elle est forcée de partir (she is forced to leave). The masculine form is forcé, and the plural forms are forcés (masc) and forcées (fem).

Semantically, forcée conveys external pressure or coercion rather than a voluntary action. It contrasts with phrases that imply voluntary choice, and it often coexists with related terms such as force, contrainte, and contrainte sociale. In legal, journalistic, and literary contexts, forcée can be used to describe acts performed under duress or owing to external pressure, as in travail forcé (forced labor) or décisions forcées under coercion.

Etymologically, forcée derives from the verb forcer, which comes from Old French forcer and ultimately from Latin fortis, meaning strong. The term is standard in contemporary French and is widely understood in Francophone contexts.