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&unr_;. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sweet smells are most forcible in dry substances, when broken. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

But I have reasons strong and forcible. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

That punishment which hath been sometimes forcible to bridle sin. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is at once elegant and sublime, forcible and ornamented. Lowth (Transl. ) [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Violent; impetuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like mingled streams, more forcible when joined. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. 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. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

Forcible entry and detainer (Law), the entering upon and taking and withholding of land and tenements by actual force and violence, and with a strong hand, to the hindrance of the person having the right to enter.

Syn. -- Violent; powerful; strong; energetic; mighty; potent; weighty; impressive; cogent; influential. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ From Feeble, a character in the Second Part of Shakespeare's “King Henry IV., ” to whom Falstaff derisively applies the epithet “forcible.” ] Seemingly vigorous, but really weak or insipid. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ Prof. Ayton ] would purge his book of much offensive matter, if he struck out epithets which are in the bad taste of the forcible-feeble school. N. Brit. Review. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being forcible. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a forcible manner. [ 1913 Webster ]