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

Gooding has been accused of groping dozens of women and pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in 2022. — Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Saurav Das, chief spokesperson of the Cockroach Janata Party, disputed the police account, saying the court had not ordered Wangchuk’s forcible removal. — Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Between February 2014 and February 2020, Perez-Juarez committed multiple forcible lewd acts against the first victim, who was ten years old at the start of the abuse, according to court documents. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

That chase also failed to meet the requirements of OPD’s pursuit policy, which allows such a risky procedure only if the suspect is believed responsible for a forcible felony. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 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