adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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CMU ARPABET:F AO1 R S AH0 B AH0 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Done by force, forced.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
2008, U.S. Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States Forcible rape, as defined in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, is the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Attempts or assaults to commit rape by force or threat of force are also included; however, statutory rape (without force) and other sex offenses are excluded.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Having (physical) force, forceful.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Having a powerful effect; forceful, telling, strong, convincing, effective.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1859, Francis Bacon, Historia Densi et Rari (1623), translated by James Spedding and Robert Leslie Ellis, in The Philosophical Works of Francis Bacon, edited by James Spedding, London: Longman & Co., 1861, Vol. II, section 388, p. 470, Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken; and so likewise in oranges or lemons, the nipping off their rind giveth out their smell more [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Able to be forced.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective satellite
Meaning 5
impelled by physical force especially against resistance
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
forcible entry
a real cop would get physical
strong-arm tactics
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: physical, strong-arm
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English forcible, forsable, from Old French forcible, from forcier (“to conquer by force”), equivalent to force + -ible.
Across languages
Translations
20 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Dutch:
gedwongen
— able to be forced
French:
forcé
— able to be forced
French:
forçable
— able to be forced
Spanish:
forzable
— able to be forced
Bulgarian:
силен
(silen)
— having force
Dutch:
krachtig
— having force
French:
puissant
— having force
Spanish:
poderoso
— having force
Spanish:
potente
— having force
Bulgarian:
принудителен
(prinuditelen)
— done by force
Dutch:
gewelddadig
— done by force
French:
violent
— done by force
Manx:
eiginagh
— done by force
Spanish:
forzado
— done by force
Spanish:
forzoso
— done by force
Ukrainian:
наси́льний
(nasýlʹnyj)
— done by force
Ukrainian:
примусо́вий
(prymusóvyj)
— done by force
Bulgarian:
убедителен
(ubeditelen)
— having a powerful effect
