forcible

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Done by force, forced.

   • The forcible administration of poison is by no means a new thing in criminal annals.
   • Since the forcible ejection of pugilist Siki from the New York Bar in Paris, discussion of Negro rights has become serious.
2. 2

   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.
3. 3

   Having a powerful effect

   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.
   • Thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense, so forcible is thy wit.
   • How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      Able to be forced.

      • […] it seems that an entry is not forcible by the bare drawing up a latch, or pulling back the bolt of a door, there being no appearance therein of its being done by strong hand, or multitude of people; […]
      • But an entry may be forcible, not only in respect of a violence actually done to the person of a man, but also in respect of any other kind of violence in the manner of the entry, as by breaking open the doors of a house […]

The neighborhood

• neighborforceable