forcible

  • 1Forcible — For ci*ble, a. [Cf. OF. forcible forcible, forceable that may be forced.] 1. Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. [1913 Webster] How forcible are right words! Job. vi. 2? …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2forcible — for·ci·ble / fȯr sə bəl/ adj: effected by force or threat of force used against opposition or resistance a forcible felony for·ci·bly adv Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …

    Law dictionary

  • 3forcible — (adj.) early 15c., from M.Fr. forcible, from O.Fr. forcier (see FORCE (Cf. force)). Related: Forcibly …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4forcible — forceful, *powerful, potent, puissant Analogous words: vehement, *intense, violent: energetic, strenuous, *vigorous: *aggressive, militant, assertive, self assertive: coercing or coercive (see corresponding verb at FORCE) …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 5forcible — [adj] powerful, aggressive active, armed, assertive, coercive, cogent, compelling, compulsory, drastic, effective, efficient, energetic, forceful, impressive, intense, mighty, militant, persuasive, potent, puissant, strong, telling, valid,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 6forcible — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ done by force. DERIVATIVES forcibly adverb …

    English terms dictionary

  • 7forcible — [fôr′sə bəl] adj. [ME < OFr] 1. done or effected by force; involving the use of force 2. having force; forceful forcibleness n. forcibly adv …

    English World dictionary

  • 8forcible — forceful, forcible 1. Fowler (1926) identified the difference in meaning as follows: ‘while forcible conveys that force rather than something else is present, forceful conveys that much as opposed to little force is used or shown; compare… …

    Modern English usage

  • 9forcible — for•ci•ble [[t]ˈfɔr sə bəl, ˈfoʊr [/t]] adj. 1) done or effected by force: forcible entry; forcible seizure[/ex] 2) having or producing force; powerfully effective 3) convincing, as reasoning: a forcible theory[/ex] • Etymology: 1350–1400; ME… …

    From formal English to slang

  • 10forcible — forcibleness, forcibility, n. forcibly, adv. /fawr seuh beuhl, fohr /, adj. 1. done or effected by force: forcible entry into a house. 2. producing a powerful effect; having force; effective. 3. convincing, as reasoning: a forcible theory. 4.… …

    Universalium