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

Both trials included emotional testimony from the three women whose allegations led to Masterson’s three charges of forcible rape. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2024

Another rabbi, Ethan Tucker, the head of Hadar, a yeshiva in Manhattan, noted that the Jews’ history of persecution includes not only massacres, expulsions, and forcible conversions but also prohibitions on converting people to Judaism, sometimes on pain of death. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

The coroner who performed JonBenét’s autopsy said the child died from suffocation in conjunction with forcible trauma to her skull. —Jean Casarez, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024

Michael Lamonte Evans, a Los Angeles County resident, was charged Monday with forcible rape and rape of an unconscious person, both felonies, in connection with the Dec. 9, 2000 attack on a woman. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2024

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