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

Another survey from mid-2025 commissioned by Pennsylvania State University, conducted by Geocartography, an Israeli polling firm, and published by liberal newspaper Haaretz, showed that 82% of Israeli Jews supported the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. —Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026

In California, a jury in 2023 found Weinstein guilty of three counts — forcible rape, forcible oral copulation and penetration by foreign object — against Jane Doe 1. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

Per Entertainment Weekly, Pasqual was also convicted of one count of forcible rape from a separate incident, which occurred one month before the knife attack. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

The other counts include one count of forcible rape; three felony counts of injuring a spouse, fiancée or partner; and one count of felony first-degree burglary with a person in the home, according to Los Angeles criminal records viewed by USA TODAY. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forcible

• forcible entry

Rhymes for forcible

• enforceable
• unenforceable

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