forcible

[ fawr-suh-buhl ]

/ ˈfɔr sə bəl /

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See synonyms for: forcible / forcibleness / forcibly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

done or effected by force: forcible entry into a house.

producing a powerful effect; having force; effective.

convincing, as reasoning: a forcible theory.

characterized by the use of force or violence.

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Origin of forcible

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

OTHER WORDS FROM forcible

for·ci·ble·ness, for·ci·bil·i·ty

[fawr-suh-bil-i-tee], /ˌfɔr səˈbɪl ɪ ti/, nounfor·ci·bly, adverbun·for·ci·ble, adjectiveun·for·ci·ble·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH forcible

forceful, forcible

Words nearby forcible

for certain, Forces, force someone's hand, force to be reckoned with, for chicken feed, forcible, forcibly, forcing bid, forcing frequency, forcing house, forcipate

How to use forcible in a sentence

China’s government has said that the forcible detentions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang is an anti-extremism strategy.
Omar, Schakowsky push bill to combat Islamophobia abroad amid rising concerns about Uyghurs, Rohingya|Anjuman Ali|October 29, 2021|Washington Post
For instance, door security bars such as the Buddybar Door Jammer are extremely effective against both forcible and unforced entry but probably aren’t allowed in carry-on bags, Kiser says.
Portable door locks can give travelers extra comfort and protection. Here’s how to choose one.|Gina Rich|May 20, 2021|Washington Post
Conservatives have already opined that the accusations are not of what Paul Ryan might call “forcible rape.”
No Wonder Cosby's Keeping Quiet: He Could Still Be Prosecuted|Jay Michaelson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservative advocates of limiting convictions to cases of “forcible rape” often rely on “traditional values.”
No Wonder Cosby's Keeping Quiet: He Could Still Be Prosecuted|Jay Michaelson|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And then he was charged not with forcible rape, but with having sex with a prisoner and then aiding her escape.
Rape, Lies & Videotape in Ferguson|Michael Daly|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A former Ebola patient calls the forcible isolation of returning health-care workers from West Africa a ‘police state approach.’
Are Mandatory Ebola Quarantines Legal?|Tim Mak|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many universities have vague—and often overly narrow—conceptions of “forcible sexual offenses.”
No Rapes On Campus? No Way.|Emily Shire|July 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had an excellent voice, possessed in a high degree the gift of concise and forcible expression, and his every word told.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
No one could deny that Government had yielded in the face of noisy clamor and forcible resistance.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
If the language is not forcible enough to convey your ideas, you will not make it better by underlining it.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
The tragedies of Corneille and Racine are forcible and finished, and should be read because classical.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
He caused his mother sorrow, by a dissolute life and by forcible inroads on the maternal purse.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe

British Dictionary definitions for forcible

forcible

/ (ˈfɔːsəbəl) /

adjective

done by, involving, or having force

convincing or effectivea forcible argument

Derived forms of forcible

forcibleness or forcibility, nounforcibly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

forcible

Origin of forcible

OTHER WORDS FROM forcible

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH forcible

Words nearby forcible

Words related to forcible

How to use forcible in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for forcible

Derived forms of forcible