Word Study
forcible
CIDE DICTIONARY
forcible, a. [Cf. OF. forcible forcible, forceable that may be forced.].
- Possessing force; characterized by force, efficiency, or energy; powerful; efficacious; impressive; influential. [1913 Webster]"How forcible are right words!" [1913 Webster]"Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken." [1913 Webster]"But I have reasons strong and forcible." [1913 Webster]"That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin." [1913 Webster]"He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented." [1913 Webster]
- Violent; impetuous. [1913 Webster]"Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined." [1913 Webster]
- Using force against opposition or resistance; obtained by compulsion; effected by force; as, forcible entry or abduction. [1913 Webster]"In embraces of King James . . . forcible and unjust." [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
forcible, adj. done by or involving force; forceful.
Derivative
forcibleness n. forcibly adv.
Etymology
ME f. AF & OF (as FORCE(1))
THESAURUS
forcible
accented, accentuated, acid, active, acute, aggressive, animated, armipotent, assertive, authoritative, beefy, biting, bouncing, brisk, bulldozer, coercive, cogent, corrosive, cutting, decided, doughty, drastic, driving, dynamic, effective, emphasized, emphatic, energetic, enterprising, enthusiastic, forceful, forcy, full of pep, full-blooded, full-strength, go-go, gutsy, gutty, hale, hard, hard as nails, hardy, hearty, hefty, high-potency, high-powered, high-pressure, high-tension, husky, imperative, impetuous, impressive, in force, in power, in red letters, incisive, intense, iron-hard, irresistible, italicized, keen, kinetic, lively, living, lusty, mettlesome, mighty, mighty in battle, militant, mordant, nervous, nervy, obstinate, operative, penetrating, peppy, piercing, poignant, pointed, positive, potent, powerful, prepotent, puissant, punchy, punctuated, red-blooded, robust, robustious, rugged, ruling, self-assertive, sensational, severe, sinewed, sinewy, slashing, sledgehammer, smacking, snappy, spanking, spirited, stalwart, starred, steamroller, steely, stout, strapping, strenuous, stressed, striking, stringent, strong, strong as brandy, strong as strong, strong-arm, strong-willed, sturdy, take-charge, take-over, telling, trenchant, underlined, underscored, valid, vehement, vibrant, vigorous, violent, vital, vivacious, vivid, zestful, zesty, zippyROGET THESAURUS
forcible
Vigor
N vigor, power, force, boldness, raciness, intellectual, force, spirit, point, antithesis, piquance, piquancy, verve, glow, fire, warmth, strong language, gravity, sententiousness, elevation, loftiness, sublimity, eloquence, command of words, command of language, vigorous, nervous, powerful, forcible, trenchant, incisive, impressive, sensational, spirited, lively, glowing, sparkling, racy, bold, slashing, pungent, piquant, full of point, pointed, pithy, antithetical, sententious, lofty, elevated, sublime, eloquent, vehement, petulant, impassioned, poetic, in glowing terms, in good set terms, in no measured terms, thoughts that breath and words that burn.Compulsion
N compulsion, coercion, coaction, constraint, duress, enforcement, press, conscription, force, brute force, main force, physical force, the sword, ultima ratio, club law, lynch law, mob law, arguementum baculinum, le droit du plus fort, martial law, restraint, necessity, force majeure, Hobson's choice, compelling, coercive, coactive, inexorable, compulsory, compulsatory, obligatory, stringent, peremptory, forcible, not to be trifled with, irresistible, compelled, fain to, by force, by force of arms, on compulsion, perforce, vi et armis, under the lash, at the point of the sword, at the point of the bayonet, forcibly, by a strong arm, under protest, in spite of one's teeth, against one's will, nolens volens, by stress of circumstances, by stress of weather, under press of, de rigueur, with a gun to one's head, I'll make him an offer he can't refuse.Power
N power, potency, potentiality, jiva, puissance, might, force, energy, dint, right hand, right arm, ascendency, sway, control, prepotency, prepollence, almightiness, omnipotence, authority, strength, ability, ableness, competency, efficacy, efficiency, productivity, expertise (skill), validity, cogency, enablement, vantage ground, influence, pressure, conductivity, elasticity, gravity, electricity, magnetism, galvanism, voltaic electricity, voltaism, electromagnetism, atomic power, nuclear power, thermonuclear power, fuel cell, hydraulic power, water power, hydroelectric power, solar power, solar energy, solar panels, tidal power, wind power, attraction, vis inertiae, vis mortua, vis viva, potential energy, dynamic energy, dynamic friction, dynamic suction, live circuit, live rail, live wire, capability, capacity, quid valeant humeri quid ferre recusent, faculty, quality, attribute, endowment, virtue, gift, property, qualification, susceptibility, powerful, puissant, potential, capable, able, equal to, up to, cogent, valid, efficient, productive, effective, effectual, efficacious, adequate, competent, multipotent, plenipotent, omnipotent, almighty, forcible, (energetic), influential, productive, powerfully, by virtue of, by dint of, a toute force, dos moi pou sto kai kino ten gen, eripuit coelo fulmen sceptrumque tyrannis, fortis cadere cedere non potest.Strength
N strength, power, energy, vigor, force, main force, physical force, brute force, spring, elasticity, tone, tension, tonicity, stoutness, lustihood, stamina, nerve, muscle, sinew, thews and sinews, physique, pith, pithiness, virtility, vitality, athletics, athleticism, gymnastics, feats of strength, adamant, steel, iron, oak, heart of oak, iron grip, grit, bone, athlete, gymnast, acrobat, superman, Atlas, Hercules, Antaeus, Samson, Cyclops, Goliath, tower of strength, giant refreshed, strengthening, invigoration, refreshment, refocillation, dynamics, statics, strong, mighty, vigorous, forcible, hard, adamantine, stout, robust, sturdy, hardy, powerful, potent, puissant, valid, resistless, irresistible, invincible, proof against, impregnable, unconquerable, indomitable, dominating, inextinguishable, unquenchable, incontestable, more than a match for, overpowering, overwhelming, all powerful, all sufficient, sovereign, able-bodied, athletic, Herculean, Cyclopean, Atlantean, muscular, brawny, wiry, well-knit, broad-shouldered, sinewy, strapping, stalwart, gigantic, manly, man-like, manful, masculine, male, virile, unweakened, unallayed, unwithered, unshaken, unworn, unexhausted, in full force, in full swing, in the plenitude of power, stubborn, thick-ribbed, made of iron, deep-rooted, strong as a lion, strong as a horse, strong as an ox, strong as brandy, sound as a roach, in fine feather, in high feather, built like a brick shithouse, like a giant refreshed, strongly, by force, by main force, our withers are unwrung, Blut und Eisen, coelitus mihi vires, du fort au diable, en habiles gens, ex vi termini, flecti non frangi, he that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves an, inflexible in faith invincible in arms.Physical Energy
N energy, physical energy, force, power, keenness, intensity, vigor, strength, elasticity, go, high pressure, fire, rush, acrimony, acritude, causiticity, virulence, poignancy, harshness, severity, edge, point, pungency, cantharides, seasoning, activity, agitation, effervescence, ferment, fermentation, ebullition, splutter, perturbation, stir, bustle, voluntary energy, quicksilver, resolution, exertion, excitation, strong, energetic, forcible, active, intense, deep-dyed, severe, keen, vivid, sharp, acute, incisive, trenchant, brisk, rousing, irritation, poignant, virulent, caustic, corrosive, mordant, harsh, stringent, double-edged, double-shotted, double- distilled, drastic, escharotic, racy, potent, radioactive, strongly, fortiter in re, with telling effect, the steam is up, vires acquirit eundo, the race by vigor not by vaunts is won.For further exploring for "forcible" in Webster Dictionary Online