diff --git a/contrib/completion/zsh/_docker b/contrib/completion/zsh/_docker
index 06997ffadd..33dbdb265e 100644
--- a/contrib/completion/zsh/_docker
+++ b/contrib/completion/zsh/_docker
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ __docker_node_subcommand() {
         (rm|remove)
              _arguments $(__docker_arguments) \
                 $opts_help \
-                "($help)--force[Force remove an active node]" \
+                "($help)--force[Force remove a node from the swarm]" \
                 "($help -)*:node:__docker_complete_pending_nodes" && ret=0
             ;;
         (demote)
diff --git a/docs/reference/commandline/node_rm.md b/docs/reference/commandline/node_rm.md
index 7cb512def4..c3046dbceb 100644
--- a/docs/reference/commandline/node_rm.md
+++ b/docs/reference/commandline/node_rm.md
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ Aliases:
   rm, remove
 
 Options:
-      --force  Force remove an active node
+      --force  Force remove a node from the swarm
       --help   Print usage
 ```