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
Examples of forcible in a Sentence
the forcible removal of the rioters
Recent Examples on the Web
Perry, 33, was charged with murder during the commission of a forcible felony and vehicular hijacking.
—
Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The forcible return of the thirty-two Afghans led to a legal case, filed in 2021 at the European Court of Human Rights by the Association for Legal Intervention.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The somber annual commemoration marks the anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt signing Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which spurred the forcible removal and mass relocation of those of Japanese descent from the West Coast.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Show actor was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of forcible rape.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forcible
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Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
The forcible return of the thirty-two Afghans led to a legal case, filed in 2021 at the European Court of Human Rights by the Association for Legal Intervention.
—Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The somber annual commemoration marks the anniversary of President Franklin Roosevelt signing Executive Order 9066 in 1942, which spurred the forcible removal and mass relocation of those of Japanese descent from the West Coast.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Show actor was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of forcible rape.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for forcible
Cite this Entry
“Forcible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forcible. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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