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

With an arrest warrant for Wilhite on kidnapping and forcible oral copulation charges, police just needed to locate him. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024

While announcing the suspension, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan sent a letter to James, saying the Chargers team captain lowered his head and made forcible contact with Freiermuth. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024

Dogs experience social isolation, lack of behaviorally appropriate sensory stimuli, physical confinement to small spaces, forcible restraint, and other issues. —Jessica Pierce, TIME, 23 June 2024

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the forcible incarceration of over 110,000 Japanese, including Japanese American citizens, in 12 concentration camps across the United States. —Russell Jeung, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2021

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