两者均有普通法上所指的非法进入他人住宅或占有他人土地且不愿归还的含义。不同之处在于forcible detainer可指和平方式进入他人住宅或领地，用恐吓或暴力阻碍他人合法进入，从而达到占有住宅或土地的目的，其也可以用作指拒绝归还他人的动产，故为“强行侵占”（他人土地、住宅或财产等）[1]。而 forcible entry则是指以暴力方式进入他人住宅或土地以期达到占有的目的，故为“抢占”（他人土地或住宅），“抢占”过去曾为一种犯罪[2]。

[1 ] "Exists where one originally in rightful possession of realty refuses to surrender it at

termination of his possession of right. Forcible detainer may ensure upon a peaceable entry, as well as upon a forcible entry；but it is most commonly spoken of it in the phrase forcible entry and detainer. ”Cf. The Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary，abridged 6th edition, at p. 445, West Publishing Co. (1991).

[2] "At common law，the act or an instance of violently and unlawfully taking possession of lands and tenements against the will of those entitled to possession. ”Cf. Bryan A. Gamer, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th edition, at p. 657, West Group (1999).