forcibly

adverb

as in strongly
in a vigorous and forceful manner the disruptive passenger was forcibly removed from the plane

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forcibly Almost 260 million people need assistance, including over 118 million forcibly displaced — a grim world record — while governments retreat from funding the response. — Jeannie Annan, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026 Some 70,000 of its citizens forcibly crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, on the tip of North Africa. — Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026 Some even pitched tents to stay at least the night — or until police forcibly removed them. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 In response, several protesters were forcibly removed by the authorities from the building doorway, including being lifted by their arms and legs, per Reuters. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 Related Stories The work taps into a raw subject in Syria where at least 177,000 people remain missing having been forcibly disappeared by the regime from 2011 onwards. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 In a messy split verdict, the jury acquitted him of forcibly performing oral sex on another woman, Kaja Sokola, and could not reach a verdict on a rape charge involving Mann. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 In a messy split verdict, the jury acquitted him of forcibly performing oral sex on Sokola and could not reach a verdict on a rape charge involving Mann. — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 At Weinstein’s first trial in 2020, Haley gave harrowing testimony that Weinstein held her down on a bed at his Manhattan apartment and forcibly performed oral sex on her in 2006. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forcibly
  1. strongly
  2. vigorously
  3. forcefully
  4. firmly
  5. hard
  6. powerfully
  7. vehemently
  8. fiercely
Adverb
  • Near the epicenter, the agency estimated an intensity of VIII, classified as severe on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, which measures how strongly the ground shakes at individual locations.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This endeavor is not easy, and these companies are strongly advocating for abolishing the leap second.
    — Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • Flock stands by the accuracy and integrity of its technology and intends to vigorously defend itself in this litigation.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Whisk vigorously until the mixture turns pale and thick like wet sand, 2 to 3 minutes -- this is the espumita base.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigorously
Adverb
  • Soenen also wondered whether saying no differently or more forcefully could have prevented the assault.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • As if to illustrate the point, York’s cat keeps forcefully clawing her way on camera.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of forcefully
Adverb
  • All your living room furniture should sit firmly on the rug (in a bedroom, nightstands are the exception).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Using your hands, firmly press ends down toward platter to split potatoes open.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • And as direct as the ad is (more on it in a moment), the film goes even harder.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Beshear has also campaigned and advertised hard for Democratic candidate Zach Dembo, who is taking on GOP candidate Ralph Alvarado in the open 6th District seat around Lexington.
    — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of hard
Adverb
  • Indeed, the freedom to interpret and express fashion individually with a more stylized approach to dressing also emerged powerfully.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • On the national stage, foundations like Marguerite Casey, MacArthur, and Robert Wood Johnson have increased giving levels significantly and their leaders have spoken out powerfully to defend the sector.
    — Phil Buchanan, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of powerfully
Adverb
  • But the more important takeaway is that experts disagree vehemently on each.
    — Geoffrey Irving, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • People knew him as the guy who vehemently opposed NAFTA, who showed up on picket lines, who only wore suits made in Ohio.
    — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of vehemently
Adverb
  • The backlash was swift, and pro-Israel groups fiercely criticized Macklemore, and he was later removed from the rest of Sheeran’s stadium tour.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Carrie follows misfit high‑schooler Carrie White (Howell) after having spent her life hidden away inside the walls of her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret (Samantha Sloyan).
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiercely

Browse Nearby Words

forcible
forcibly
forcing
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Cite this Entry

“Forcibly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forcibly. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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