forcible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   impelled by physical force especially against resistance

   Forcible entry.

2. 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. 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. 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.

Common collocations

• forcible entry Adjective + noun

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

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
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