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

His administration has deported immigrants without due process, held detainees in inhumane conditions, threatened the forcible removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and deployed both the National Guard and federal military troops to Los Angeles to quell largely peaceful protests. —Charli Carpenter, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2025

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the forcible removal of Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla from her Los Angeles press conference on Thursday. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025

The video quickly spread across the internet, causing Democratic lawmakers in Washington to protest Padilla’s forcible removal from Noem’s news conference. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 13 June 2025

California politicians reacted to the forcible removal of Sen. Alex Padilla at the Department of Homeland Security’s press conference in Los Angeles on Thursday. —Rebecca-Ann Jattan, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025

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