forcible

adjective

forc·​ible ˈfȯr-sə-bəl 

1

: effected by force used against opposition or resistance

2

: characterized by force, efficiency, or energy : powerful

forcibleness noun

forcibly

ˈfȯr-sə-blē 

adverb

Examples of forcible in a Sentence

the forcible removal of the rioters

Recent Examples on the Web

Each brother has been accused of forcible rape by at least 10 different women, per the filing. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025

And Oliver made forcible contact after Jackson stepped out of bounds. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025

Alvin Quarles pleaded guilty in 1989 to four counts of forcible rape that occurred between 1987 and 1988 and admitted to being armed during the attacks. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

The league’s replay-assist mechanism can come into play if there were no contact made at all, but not to assess how forcible the contact might have been. —Mike Sando, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forcible

• forcible entry

Kids Definition

forcible

adjective

forc·​i·​ble

ˈfōr-sə-bəl,

ˈfȯr-

1

: got, made, or done by force or violence

a forcible entrance

2

: forceful

forcibly

-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

forcible

adjective

for·​ci·​ble ˈfȯr-sə-bəl 

: effected by force or threat of force used against opposition or resistance

a forcible felony

forcibly adverb