adj
forcible
adj
1
Done using physical force.
"Police found evidence of forcible entry at the scene."
"The rebels staged a forcible takeover of the palace."
How to Use Forcible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something achieved or carried out using physical force.
Common mistake
Forcible describes an action carried out with physical force (forcible entry); forceful describes strength or intensity more generally (a forceful speech).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
forcible entry
forcible removal
Word Forms
more forcible comparative, most forcible superlative
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Police found evidence of _____ entry at the scene.
Etymology
From Old French forcible, from forcier ("to conquer by force"), plus the suffix -ible.