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Synonyms

forensic

American  
[fuh-ren-sik, -zik] / fəˈrɛn sɪk, -zɪk /

adjective

  1. relating to, connected with, or used in courts of law, especially with reference to the scientific analysis of evidence.

    The defense called a professional witness with credentials in forensic toxicology.

  2. relating, adapted, or suited to argumentation or to public discussion and debate; rhetorical.

    The Athenians were famous for their forensic eloquence in the public forum.


noun

  1. forensics.

forensic British  
/ fəˈrɛnsɪk, fəˌrɛnsɪˈkælɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. relating to, used in, or connected with a court of law

    forensic science

"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

Other Word Forms

  • forensicality noun
  • forensically adverb
  • nonforensic adjective
  • nonforensically adverb
  • unforensic adjective
  • unforensically adverb

Etymology

Origin of forensic

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin forēns(is) “public,” literally, “of the forum” (from for(um) forum + -ēnsis -ensis ) + -ic ( def. )

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.

Two weeks into their review, the team—Concannon, alongside younger students Jenna Lewis, Preston Schroeder, Natalia Montoya, and Samantha Underwood—gathered around a table in the forensic lab to share their findings and discuss theories.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Before she became an educator at UT–Arlington, she spent decades as a forensic analyst working high-profile cases such as the Branch Davidian siege in Waco.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

Social media is rife with fabricated satellite imagery, heatmaps and other pseudo forensic visuals used to cast doubt on genuine evidence from the war, researchers say.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

A leading forensic genetics expert, who has analysed all the family's tests, told us it is unlikely that either child is biologically related to donor Finn.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

“Because I’m going to be a detective when I grow up,” he’d say, “I need to know forensic science and TV detectives.”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein