How to remove files and directories quickly via terminal (bash shell)

Question

From a terminal window:

When I use the rm command it can only remove files.
When I use the rmdir command it only removes empty folders.

If I have a directory nested with files and folders within folders with files and so on, is there a way to delete all the files and folders without all the strenuous command typing?

If it makes a difference, I am using the Mac Bash shell from a terminal, not Microsoft DOS or Linux.

Answer 1

rm -rf some_dir

-r "recursive" -f "force" (suppress confirmation messages)

Be careful!