JLPT N1 grammar
〜を余儀なくされる — Meaning & Examples
"Forced to by circumstances" — news register. 中止を余儀なくされた = was forced into cancellation. Flip: 〜を余儀なくさせる = the cause forces someone.
〜を余儀なくされる — "Forced To (by Circumstances)"
を余儀なくされる（をよぎなくされる）means external circumstances left no alternative — you were compelled into an unwanted action. Extremely common in news.
Pattern: [action noun] + を余儀なくされる
台風の影響で、大会は中止を余儀なくされた。
= Due to the typhoon, the tournament was forced to be cancelled.
業績悪化により、会社は撤退を余儀なくされた。
= Worsening results forced the company to withdraw.
住民は避難を余儀なくされた。
= Residents were forced to evacuate.
Flip the voice — 〜を余儀なくさせる = "to force (someone to)":
洪水が住民に避難を余儀なくさせた。
= The flood forced residents to evacuate.
・される → subject is the one FORCED（victim's viewpoint）
・させる → subject is the CAUSE（the force itself）
vs ざるを得ない (N2):
・中止せざるを得ない = we have no choice but to cancel（verb, any register）
・中止を余儀なくされる = forced into cancellation（noun, hard news register）
Key feeling: Headline language for being backed into a corner by events.
Practise 〜を余儀なくされる in the free app
This point is part of the “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N1 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N1 grammar points
From the same lesson: Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜を余儀なくされる mean?
"Forced to by circumstances" — news register. 中止を余儀なくされた = was forced into cancellation. Flip: 〜を余儀なくさせる = the cause forces someone.
Is 〜を余儀なくされる on the JLPT N1 test?
〜を余儀なくされる is taught in the JLPT N1 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜を余儀なくされる?
Open the “Uncontainable — を禁じ得ない・を余儀なくされる・ずにはおかない” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N1 mock exams, with no ads.