forcibly

IPA/ˈfɔːsəbli/
KK[fˈɔrsəbli]IPA/ˈfɔːrsəbli/

forcibly — adverb

1. with enough bodily power to move, hold, open, or change something by sheer force

1.adverbB2
Definition

with enough bodily power to move, hold, open, or change something by sheer force

Example

Two firefighters forcibly opened the apartment door after seeing smoke at the window.

forcibly opened [object] in an emergency

The nurse forcibly held the boy's arm still while the doctor removed the glass.

forcibly held [body part] still

Common collocations
  • forcibly open
  • forcibly hold
  • forcibly pull
  • forcibly bend
Synonyms
  • forcefully

    close in meaning, but it can also describe strong speech or personality, not only physical action

  • powerfully

    focuses on great strength or effect; it is broader and does not always suggest resistance

  • violently

    adds the idea of harm, anger, or destruction more strongly than forcibly does

Antonyms
  • gently

    describes careful action without heavy force

  • lightly

    suggests only a small amount of pressure or touch

Grammar Patterns

forcibly + action verb (forcibly open/hold/pull/bend)

be forcibly + past participle (be forcibly moved/removed)

Usage Note

Usually describes visible physical action such as opening, holding, dragging, or bending. Unlike sense 2, it highlights the amount of force used rather than the lack of consent.

Common Mistakes

Mira forcibly solved the maths problem.
Mira solved the maths problem quickly.
forcibly is for physical force, not for mental effort.

2. so that an action goes ahead despite the other person's refusal or objection

2.adverbB2
Definition

so that an action goes ahead despite the other person's refusal or objection

Example

Police forcibly removed the campers from the park after midnight.

forcibly removed [people] from [place]

The landlord cannot forcibly enter the flat without warning the tenant.

forcibly enter [place] against consent

Common collocations
  • forcibly remove
  • forcibly enter
  • forcibly separate
  • forcibly return
Synonyms
  • compulsorily

    more formal and often used for rules or legal requirements rather than direct physical action

  • coercively

    stresses pressure or threats used to control someone's choice

  • against someone's will

    a phrase that states the same idea more directly and less formally

Antonyms
  • willingly

    shows that the person agrees to the action

  • voluntarily

    emphasises free choice without pressure

Grammar Patterns

forcibly + remove/enter/separate

be forcibly + past participle (be forcibly removed/returned)

Usage Note

This sense is about compulsion or lack of permission. Unlike sense 1, the key idea is that the action happens despite someone's refusal or objection.

Common Mistakes

The museum forcibly opened at nine every day.
The museum opened at nine every day.
forcibly needs a person whose wishes are being ignored.

3. with a powerful effect that makes an idea or feeling very clear to other people

3.adverbC1
Definition

with a powerful effect that makes an idea or feeling very clear to other people

Example

Nikos spoke forcibly about the need for clean water in every village.

forcibly + spoke about [issue]

The report forcibly reminds readers that small debts can grow fast.

forcibly reminds [people] that-clause

Common collocations
  • forcibly argue
  • forcibly remind
  • forcibly show
  • forcibly make clear
Synonyms
  • powerfully

    the nearest everyday alternative for a strong effect on the reader or listener

  • persuasively

    focuses on winning belief, while forcibly can simply mean strikingly clear

  • vividly

    highlights clear mental pictures rather than force of argument

Antonyms
  • weakly

    suggests little effect or little power to convince

  • faintly

    shows something in a way that is not strong or clear

Grammar Patterns

forcibly + argue/show/remind

forcibly + makes clear [idea]

Usage Note

Mainly used in formal speech or writing about arguments, reports, pictures, and other things that make a point clearly. Unlike senses 1 and 2, no physical force is involved here.

Common Mistakes

The soup forcibly tasted of garlic.
The soup tasted strongly of garlic.
forcibly is not normally used for flavour or smell.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These words all suggest strength, but they focus on different kinds of strength. Forcibly usually describes an action done with enough force to move, hold, open, or remove something, and it often suggests resistance from the person or thing affected. Forcefully is broader: it can describe physical action, but it also works for strong speech or a forceful personality. Violently goes further by adding the idea of harm, anger, or destruction. Compulsorily is more formal and usually refers to rules or official requirements rather than direct physical action. Powerfully often describes great effect or impact, especially in speech, writing, or art. You might say that guards forcibly removed a protester, a lawyer argued forcefully, and a photo showed the damage powerfully.

forcibly ↗forcefully ↗violently ↗compulsorily ↗powerfully ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • forcibly removed
  • forcibly taken away
  • forcibly entered
  • forcibly returned

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Forcibly was formed by adding the adverb ending -ly to forcible, a word that came into English through French from Latin roots linked to strength and force. It first described actions done by physical power, then widened to cover acts carried out against someone's wishes and, in more formal use, arguments or images that make a point with striking force.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1