coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən 

-shən

: the act, process, or power of coercing

They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms

• arm-twisting
• compulsion
• constraint
• duress
• force
• pressure

Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

Recent Examples on the Web

The federal charge is attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. —Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 20 Mar. 2025

He was sentenced to life on the coercion and enticement charge, plus received additional concurrent prison time on the other charges, prosecutors said. —Sara Schilling, Sacramento Bee, 19 Mar. 2025

The prevailing belief that Iran is now more susceptible to U.S. coercion or Israeli attack, however, is not shared by Tehran. —Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2025

Pressuring, coercion or threats are not the right way of dealing with China. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cohercion, borrowed from Anglo-French cohercioun, borrowed from Late Latin coerctiōn-, coerctiō, by-form of Latin coercitiōn-, coercitiō, from coerci-, variant stem of coercēre "to coerce" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coercion

• assertion
• cistercian
• desertion
• exertion
• insertion
• mercian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Legal Definition

coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən 

: the use of express or implied threats of violence or reprisal (as discharge from employment) or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences in order to compel that person to act against his or her will

also : the defense that one acted under coercion see also defense, duress compare undue influence