forcible

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈfɔrsəbəl/ See IPA manual

Freq #44743

Meanings

1

adj
impelled by physical force especially against resistance

Forcible entry.
2

adj
Done by force, forced.

I fled; but he pursued (though more, it seems, / Inflamed with lust than rage), and, swifter far, / Me overtook, his mother, all dismayed, / And, in embraces forcible and foul / Engendering with me, of that rape begot / These yelling monsters, that with ceaseless cry / Surround me, as thou saw'st—.
3

adj
Having (physical) force, forceful.

[…] he drew her to him, laid a forcible detaining arm about her waist, and misapprehended her frantic revolt for an exhibition of maidenly reluctance.
4

adj
Having a powerful effect; forceful, telling, strong, convincing, effective.

But that which hath been once most sufficient, may wax otherwise by alteration of time and place; that punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin, may grow afterwards too weak and feebled.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · impelled by physical force... physical

Word family

Derived forms forcible-feebleforciblenessforciblynonforcibleunforcible

Related forms forceable

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

forcible entry
entry into a place achieved through physical force

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Middle English forcible, forsable, from Old French forcible, from forcier (“to conquer by force”), equivalent to force + -ible.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# forcible

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈfɔrsəbəl/
**Frequency rank:** 44743

## Meanings
1. impelled by physical force especially against resistance
2. Done by force, forced.
3. Having (physical) force, forceful.
4. Having a powerful effect; forceful, telling, strong, convincing, effective.

## Examples
- Forcible entry.
- I fled; but he pursued (though more, it seems, / Inflamed with lust than rage), and, swifter far, / Me overtook, his mother, all dismayed, / And, in embraces forcible and foul / Engendering with me, of that rape begot / These yelling monsters, that with ceaseless cry / Surround me, as thou saw'st—.
- […] he drew her to him, laid a forcible detaining arm about her waist, and misapprehended her frantic revolt for an exhibition of maidenly reluctance.
- But that which hath been once most sufficient, may wax otherwise by alteration of time and place; that punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin, may grow afterwards too weak and feebled.

## Derived Forms
- forcible-feeble
- forcibleness
- forcibly
- nonforcible
- unforcible

## Related Forms
- forceable

## Etymology
From Middle English forcible, forsable, from Old French forcible, from forcier (“to conquer by force”), equivalent to force + -ible.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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