forcible

adjective

forc·​ible ˈfȯr-sə-bəl How to pronounce forcible (audio)
1
: effected by force used against opposition or resistance
2
: characterized by force, efficiency, or energy : powerful
forcibleness noun
forcibly adverb

Examples of forcible in a Sentence

the forcible removal of the rioters
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to the Globe, when Randy was 24, he was charged with assault causing bodily harm and forcible confinement after a customer fell behind on his credit and spent 10 hours locked in a basement. Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2025 Policy, Economy, and Culture China’s one-child policy helped women enter the tech industry and accumulate wealth because while most large Chinese families traditionally prioritized boys’ education, the forcible restriction of family size allowed girls to attend school. Rocio Wu, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025 The Geneva Convention bars mass forcible transfers of populations. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Feb. 2025 Articles seven and eight of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court defines forcible transfer as a crime against humanity and a war crime. David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forcible

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forcible was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forcible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forcible. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

forcible

adjective
forc·​i·​ble
ˈfōr-sə-bəl,
ˈfȯr-
1
: got, made, or done by force or violence
a forcible entrance
2
forcibly
-blē
adverb

Legal Definition

forcible

adjective
for·​ci·​ble ˈfȯr-sə-bəl How to pronounce forcible (audio)
: effected by force or threat of force used against opposition or resistance
a forcible felony
forcibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on forcible

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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