expression
if I had to say; if pressed; if I must choose
Used when giving an opinion or answer reluctantly, often implying that the speaker would rather not commit or that the distinction is minor.
強いて言えば、こっちの方が少し好きかな。
If I had to say, I like this one a little better.
強いて言えば、彼の説明は少しわかりにくかった。
If pressed, his explanation was a bit hard to follow.
Similar meaning, but あえて言うなら emphasizes daring to say something potentially negative or bold, while 強いて言えば is more about reluctantly giving an opinion when forced.
From 強いて (shīte, 'forcibly') + 言えば (ieba, conditional of 言う 'to say'). Literally 'if one says forcibly'.