forcible
Americanadjective
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done or effected by force.
forcible entry into a house.
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producing a powerful effect; having force; effective.
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convincing, as reasoning.
a forcible theory.
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characterized by the use of force or violence.
adjective
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done by, involving, or having force
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convincing or effective
a forcible argument
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 • Nov. 20, 2025
The family's lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, called Mr Garica's deportation "the equivalent of a forcible expulsion".
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2025
Since 2014, Oakland has barred officers from pursuing suspects who are not armed with a gun or involved in a forcible or violent crime.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2024
Judge John Kane in Pennsylvania condemned as insurrectionists those who “counsel and instigate others to acts of forcible oppugnation to the provisions of a statute.”
From Slate • Feb. 8, 2024
“In short,” Lazlo concluded, “the purpose of this delegation is to persuade the seraphim to be on their way. Politely, of course. Failing that: forcible eviction.”
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
