forcible

American  

[fawr-suh-buhl] / ˈfɔr sə bəl /

adjective

1. done or effected by force.

   forcible entry into a house.

2. producing a powerful effect; having force; effective.

3. convincing, as reasoning.

   a forcible theory.

4. characterized by the use of force or violence.

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forcible British  

/ ˈfɔːsəbəl /

adjective

1. done by, involving, or having force

2. convincing or effective

   a forcible argument

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Other Word Forms

• forcibility noun
• forcibleness noun
• forcibly adverb
• unforcible adjective
• unforcibleness noun

Etymology

Origin of forcible

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; force, -ible

Example Sentences

Noriega also argued his forcible military abduction violated international law and the Panamanian government’s sovereignty, thereby depriving courts of jurisdiction.

From The Wall Street Journal

The play violated an NFL rule prohibiting the use of any part of the helmet or facemask to initiate forcible contact to an opponent’s head or neck area.

From Los Angeles Times

Its survival and growth since the forcible closure of its Beijing mother church in 2018 only adds embarrassment to alarm.

From The Wall Street Journal

And they said ordering hundreds of thousands to move south could amount to forcible transfer under international law.

From BBC

And they said forcing hundreds of thousands to move south could amount to forcible transfer under international law.

From BBC

Related Words

• coercive
• compulsory
• forceful