forcible

adjective

Definition of forciblenext
as in forceful

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of forcible De La Cruz has been indicted on more than two dozen charges including five counts of forcible rape, one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of unlawful surveillance, according to the DA’s office. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 Beyond the official count Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA, the official tracker of abducted children, lists over 20,000 possible cases of forcible deportation and transfer of children by Russia. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 The oldest crime he was convicted of, committing a forcible lewd act on a child, occurred between 1997 and 1999, according to court records. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 That chase also failed to meet the requirements of OPD’s pursuit policy, which allows such a risky procedure only if the suspect is believed responsible for a forcible felony. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for forcible
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forcible
  1. forceful
  2. powerful
  3. potent
  4. mighty
  5. muscular
Adjective
  • Too often, the forceful arguments of Rankine and her peers—and the electric anger of the George Floyd protests—were used by the opportunistic and aggrieved to justify abrupt changes to unprepared institutions.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Certain repetitive bending, twisting or forceful movements may not be advisable.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of forceful
Adjective
  • Experts said it was most likely caused by a partial glacier collapse that sent tons of ice and rock crashing down into the valley below, setting off a powerful landslide.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Hacking incident Hugging Face was recently at the center of a hacking incident that raised concerns about the rapid evolution of powerful AI and cybersecurity tools.
    — April Roach, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • The Islamic Republic survived the assassination of its top leaders and weeks of heavy bombing, and found a potent form of leverage in the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Packed with potent ingredients like isopropyl cloprostenate, amino acids, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, this formula nurtures and enhances your brows from the root.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of potent
Adjective
  • Anything larger would’ve been biting off more than even mighty Roman, with its panoramic field of view, could readily chew.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Himalayan build-out The Himalayan landmass rises from shifting fault lines and is sliced by mighty rivers that are fed by glaciers.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of mighty
Adjective
  • The sense of doom freed them to push hard into a rich new pop direction, filling Sound of Lies with songs that were deeply felt and sometimes dark amid the muscular pop hooks.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Years later, while O’Brien was developing Rocky Horror, the two ran into each other outside a London gym where O’Brien had been scouting muscular men for the show.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of muscular

Browse Nearby Words

forces
forcible
forcibly
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Cite this Entry

“Forcible.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forcible. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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