Bind vs. Force — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 16, 2024
Bind means to tie or secure something firmly, while force refers to the act of applying physical power or strength to make something move or change.
Difference Between Bind and Force
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bind involves tying, securing, or fastening something firmly in place. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. Force, on the other hand, denotes the application of physical power, pressure, or strength to cause movement or change. It is often associated with compelling or pushing something to happen against resistance.
Bind is often used in contexts where something is being held together or restricted, such as binding wounds or binding agreements. It suggests a securing action that holds elements together firmly. In contrast, force is used in scenarios where there is an active exertion of energy to achieve a result, such as forcing an entry or using force to lift a heavy object.
In legal or contractual language, binding agreements impose obligations that parties must adhere to, whereas forcing a contract would imply coercion or undue pressure, often considered unethical or illegal. Binding is about creating a secure attachment, while forcing involves compelling action.
Bind typically carries a connotation of stability and security, as in binding ties or binding commitments. Force, however, is more dynamic and often temporary, emphasizing the exertion of power to create change or movement.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To tie or secure something firmly
To apply physical power or strength to move or change something
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Contexts
Literal and figurative (e.g., binding a book, binding by law)
Physical actions, influence, compulsion (e.g., forcing a door open, using force)
Implication
Restraint, limitation, securing
Power, exertion, overcoming resistance
Usage Examples
Binding wounds, binding contracts
Forcing entry, using force to lift an object
Connotation
Stability, security
Power, dynamic action
Legal Implication
Imposing obligations or restrictions
Coercion, compulsion
Compare with Definitions
Bind
To apply a bandage or similar material to a wound.
The nurse bound the wound with a clean cloth.
Force
To exert influence to gain control.
They forced their way into the conversation.
Bind
To tie or secure, as with a rope or cord.
Force
In physics, a force is any influence that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. A force can cause an object with mass to change its velocity (which includes to begin moving from a state of rest), i.e., to accelerate.
Bind
To hold or restrain by tying with rope or bonds
Bound the prisoner.
Force
Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement
He was thrown backwards by the force of the explosion
Bind
To fasten or wrap by encircling, as with a belt or ribbon
A dress bound with a sash.
Force
Coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence
They ruled by law and not by force
Bind
To bandage
Bound up their wounds.
Force
Mental or moral strength or power
The force of popular opinion
Bind
To compel, constrain, or unite
Bound by a deep sense of duty.
Bound by a common interest in sports.
Force
An organized body of military personnel or police
A British peacekeeping force
Bind
To make certain or irrevocable
Bind the deal with a down payment.
Force
A waterfall.
Bind
(Law) To place under legal obligation.
Force
Make a way through or into by physical strength; break open by force
The back door of the bank was forced
Bind
To apprentice or indenture
Was bound out as a servant.
Force
Make (someone) do something against their will
The universities were forced to cut staff
She was forced into early retirement
Bind
(Chemistry) To combine with, form a chemical bond with, or be taken up by, as an enzyme with its substrate.
Force
The capacity to do work or cause physical change; energy, strength, or active power
The force of an explosion.
Bind
To cause to cohere or stick together in a mass
Bind the dry ingredients with milk and eggs.
Force
Power made operative against resistance; exertion
Use force in driving a nail.
Bind
To constipate.
Force
The use of physical power or violence to compel or restrain
A confession obtained by force.
Bind
To enclose and fasten (the pages of a book or other printed material) between covers.
Force
Intellectual power or vigor, especially as conveyed in writing or speech.
Bind
To furnish with an edge or border for protection, reinforcement, or ornamentation.
Force
Moral strength.
Bind
To tie up or fasten something.
Force
A capacity for affecting the mind or behavior; efficacy
The force of logical argumentation.
Bind
To stick or become stuck
Applied a lubricant to keep the moving parts from binding.
Force
One that possesses such capacity
The forces of evil.
Bind
To be uncomfortably tight or restricting, as clothes.
Force
A body of persons or other resources organized or available for a certain purpose
A large labor force.
Bind
To become compact or solid; cohere.
Force
A person or group capable of influential action
A retired senator who is still a force in national politics.
Bind
To be compelling, constraining, or unifying
Moved to her home town because of the ties that bind.
Force
Military strength.
Bind
(Chemistry) To combine chemically or form a chemical bond.
Force
A unit of a nation's military personnel, especially one deployed into combat
Our armed forces have at last engaged the enemy.
Bind
The act of binding.
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.
Bind
The state of being bound.
Force
See fundamental force.
Bind
Something that binds.
Force
(Baseball) A force play.
Bind
A place where something binds
A bind halfway up the seam of the skirt.
Force
To compel through pressure or necessity
I forced myself to practice daily. He was forced to take a second job.
Bind
(Informal) A difficult, restrictive, or unresolvable situation
Found themselves in a bind when their car broke down.
Force
To gain by the use of force or coercion
Force a confession.
Bind
(Music) A tie, slur, or brace.
Force
To move or effect against resistance or inertia
Forced my foot into the shoe.
Bind
(intransitive) To tie; to confine by any ligature.
Force
To inflict or impose relentlessly
He forced his ideas upon the group.
Bind
(intransitive) To cohere or stick together in a mass.
Just to make the cheese more binding
Force
To put undue strain on
She forced her voice despite being hoarse.
Bind
(intransitive) To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
I wish I knew why the sewing machine binds up after I use it for a while.
Force
To increase or accelerate (a pace, for example) to the maximum.
Bind
(intransitive) To exert a binding or restraining influence.
These are the ties that bind.
Force
To produce with effort and against one's will
Force a laugh in spite of pain.
Bind
(transitive) To tie or fasten tightly together, with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.
To bind grain in bundles
To bind a prisoner
Force
To use (language) with obvious lack of ease and naturalness.
Bind
(transitive) To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind.
Gravity binds the planets to the sun.
Frost binds the earth.
Force
To move, open, or clear by force
Forced our way through the crowd.
Bind
(transitive) To couple.
Force
To break down or open by force
Force a lock.
Bind
(figuratively) To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other social tie.
To bind the conscience
To bind by kindness
Bound by affection
Commerce binds nations to each other
Force
To rape.
Bind
(law) To put (a person) under definite legal obligations, especially, under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
Force
To induce change in (a complex system) by changing one of its parameters
Greenhouse gases that force the earth's climate.
Bind
(law) To place under legal obligation to serve.
To bind an apprentice
Bound out to service
Force
(Botany) To cause to grow or mature by artificially accelerating normal processes.
Bind
(transitive) To protect or strengthen by applying a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
Force
To put (a runner) out on a force play.
Bind
To make fast (a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something.
To bind a belt about one
To bind a compress upon a wound
Force
To allow (a run) to be scored by walking a batter when the bases are loaded.
Bind
(transitive) To cover, as with a bandage.
To bind up a wound
Force
(Games) To cause an opponent to play (a particular card).
Bind
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action, as by producing constipation.
Certain drugs bind the bowels.
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
Bind
(transitive) To put together in a cover, as of books.
The three novels were bound together.
Force
Power exerted against will or consent; compulsory power; violence; coercion.
Bind
To make two or more elements stick together.
Force
(countable) Anything that is able to make a substantial change in a person or thing.
Bind
To associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name, method name, etc. with the content of a storage location.
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)
Bind
To process one or more object modules into an executable program.
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.
Bind
To complain; to whine about something.
Force
(countable) A group that aims to attack, control, or constrain.
Reinforcemented increased the American force in the area to 9,000
Police force
Bind
To wear a binder so as to flatten one's chest to give the appearance of a flat chest, usually done by trans men.
I haven't binded since I got my top surgery.
I hear binder tech has improved since I last bound.
Force
(uncountable) The ability to attack, control, or constrain.
Show of force
Bind
That which binds or ties.
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.
Bind
A troublesome situation; a problem; a predicament or quandary.
Force
(legal) Legal validity.
The law will come into force in January.
Bind
Any twining or climbing plant or stem, especially a hop vine; a bine.
Force
(legal) Either unlawful violence, as in a "forced entry", or lawful compulsion.
Bind
(music) A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
Force
Ability of an utterance or its element (word, form, prosody, ...) to effect a given meaning.
Bind
(chess) A strong grip or stranglehold on a position, which is difficult for the opponent to break.
The Maróczy Bind
Force
|often|capitalized}}Star Wars A metaphysical and ubiquitous power from the fictional Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. See usage note.
Bind
The indurated clay of coal mines.
Force
Synonym of police force
Bind
To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.
Force
A waterfall or cascade.
Bind
To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind; as, attraction binds the planets to the sun; frost binds the earth, or the streams.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing.
Whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years.
Force
(transitive) To violate (a woman); to rape.
Bind
To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; - sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
Force
To exert oneself, to do one's utmost.
Bind
To make fast ( a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something; as, to bind a belt about one; to bind a compress upon a part.
Force
(transitive) To compel (someone or something) to do something.
Bind
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
Force
(transitive) To constrain by force; to overcome the limitations or resistance of.
Bind
To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
Force
(transitive) To drive (something) by force, to propel (generally + prepositional phrase or adverb).
Bind
To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.
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.
Bind
Fig.: To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other moral tie; as, to bind the conscience; to bind by kindness; bound by affection; commerce binds nations to each other.
Who made our laws to bind us, not himself.
Force
(transitive) To forcibly open (a door, lock etc.).
To force a lock.
Bind
To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
Force
To obtain or win by strength; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.
Bind
To tie; to confine by any ligature.
They that reap must sheaf and bind.
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.
Bind
To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat.
Force
(whist) To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit that he/she does not hold.
Bind
To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
Force
(archaic) To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
Bind
To exert a binding or restraining influence.
Force
(archaic) To provide with forces; to reinforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
Bind
That which binds or ties.
Force
(obsolete) To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
Bind
Any twining or climbing plant or stem, esp. a hop vine; a bine.
Force
To stuff; to lard; to farce.
Bind
Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of iron.
Force
To stuff; to lard; to farce.
Wit larded with malice, and malice forced with wit.
Bind
A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
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.
Bind
Something that hinders as if with bonds
Force
To compel, as by strength of evidence; as, to force conviction on the mind.
Bind
Stick to firmly;
Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?
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.
Bind
Create social or emotional ties;
The grandparents want to bond with the child
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.
Bind
Make fast; tie or secure, with or as if with a rope;
The Chinese would bind the feet of their women
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.
Bind
Wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose
Force
To put in force; to cause to be executed; to make binding; to enforce.
What can the church force more?
Bind
Secure with or as if with ropes;
Tie down the prisoners
Tie up the old newspapes and bring them to the recycling shed
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.
Bind
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Force
To compel (an adversary or partner) to trump a trick by leading a suit of which he has none.
Bind
Form a chemical bond with;
The hydrogen binds the oxygen
Force
To provide with forces; to reënforce; to strengthen by soldiers; to man; to garrison.
Bind
Provide with a binding;
Bind the books in leather
Force
To allow the force of; to value; to care for.
For me, I force not argument a straw.
Bind
Fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord;
They tied their victim to the chair
Force
To use violence; to make violent effort; to strive; to endeavor.
Forcing with gifts to win his wanton heart.
Bind
Cause to be constipated;
These foods tend to constipate you
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.
Bind
To tie or secure something firmly.
They used ropes to bind the packages securely.
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.
Bind
To impose a legal or moral obligation.
The contract binds both parties to its terms.
Force
A waterfall; a cascade.
To see the falls for force of the river Kent.
Bind
To hold or unite elements together.
The book’s spine binds the pages together.
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.
Bind
To restrict or limit freedom.
She felt bound by her promise to stay.
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.
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?
Force
Strength or power exercised without law, or contrary to law, upon persons or things; violence.
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.
Force
A unit that is part of some military service;
He sent Caesar a force of six thousand men
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
Force
(physics) the influence that produces a change in a physical quantity;
Force equals mass times acceleration
Force
Group of people willing to obey orders;
A public force is necessary to give security to the rights of citizens
Force
A powerful effect or influence;
The force of his eloquence easily persuaded them
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
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
Force
A group of people having the power of effective action;
He joined forces with a band of adventurers
Force
(of a law) having legal validity;
The law is still in effect
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
Force
Urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
Force
Move with force,
He pushed the table into a corner
Force
Impose or thrust urgently, importunately, or inexorably;
She forced her diet fads on him
Force
Squeeze like a wedge into a tight space;
I squeezed myself into the corner
Force
Force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically;
She rammed her mind into focus
He drives me mad
Force
Do forcibly; exert force;
Don't force it!
Force
Cause to move along the ground by pulling;
Draw a wagon
Pull a sled
Force
Take by force;
Storm the fort
Force
To apply physical power to move or change something.
He forced the door open with a strong push.
Force
To compel someone to do something.
The threats forced him to comply with their demands.
Force
To use strength or power to achieve an effect.
The police used force to disperse the crowd.
Force
To make something happen through pressure.
The engine forced air through the vents.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to bind something?
To bind something means to tie or secure it firmly in place.
What are common examples of binding?
Common examples include binding a wound, binding a book, or binding someone legally with a contract.
How is bind used in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, bind refers to creating obligations or restrictions that parties must adhere to, such as in contracts.
What is the primary difference between bind and force?
Bind involves securing or tying something, while force involves applying physical power to move or change something.
Is force always physical?
While force often refers to physical power, it can also mean compelling someone to act through influence or pressure.
Is binding always a physical action?
No, binding can also be metaphorical, such as being bound by duty or a promise.
Can bind have a figurative meaning?
Yes, bind can also mean to impose a legal or moral obligation, such as being bound by a contract.
What are common examples of force?
Common examples include forcing a door open, using force to lift something heavy, or forcing someone to make a decision.
Can bind and force be used interchangeably?
No, they have distinct meanings and connotations, with bind focusing on securing and force on exerting power.
Does bind imply permanence?
Bind often implies a lasting or stable attachment, such as binding elements together securely.
Can force result in a binding outcome?
Yes, force can sometimes lead to a binding outcome, such as forcing a decision that results in a binding agreement.
How does force relate to control?
Force can be a means of exerting control, either physically or through influence.
Can force be used ethically?
Force can be used ethically, such as when it is necessary to overcome obstacles, but it can also be unethical if it involves coercion or undue pressure.
Does force imply resistance?
Yes, force often implies overcoming resistance or obstacles through the application of power.
Can bind be used in emotional contexts?
Yes, bind can describe emotional ties or commitments, such as being bound by love or loyalty.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
