forcible

[ fawr-suh-buhl ]

adjective

1. done or effected by force:

   forcible entry into a house.

2. producing a powerful effect; having force; effective.
3. convincing, as reasoning:

   a forcible theory.

4. characterized by the use of force or violence.

forcible

/ ˈfɔːsəbəl /

adjective

1. done by, involving, or having force
2. convincing or effective

   a forcible argument

Derived Forms

• ˈforcibly, adverb
• ˈforcibleness, noun

Other Words From

• for·ci·ble·ness for·ci·bil·i·ty [fawr-s, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• for·ci·bly adverb
• un·for·ci·ble adjective
• un·for·ci·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of forcible¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French; force, -ible

Example Sentences

HRW’s report says this amounts to “forcible transfer” and that “evidence shows it has been systematic and part of a state policy”.

From BBC

Homan served in Trump’s first administration as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement — ICE — overseeing the forcible separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents at the border.

From Los Angeles Times

Health care facilities in the center and south of Gaza continue to face similar attacks, which over the past year have involved strikes, sieges, forcible evacuations, and storming of hospitals across the Gaza Strip.

From Salon

They included unnecessary pain inflicted on four detainees, dangerous restraint techniques, and the forcible moving of detainees while they were naked or near naked.

From BBC

Jose Julian Jaime Jr., 30, of Hawthorne, faces one felony count of forcible lewd act upon a child under age 14 and one felony count of attempted kidnapping to commit another crime, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coercive
• compulsory
• forceful