coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən 
-shən
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.
Examples of coercion in a Sentence
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web
Donald Trump has proposed instead for the United States to use its economic and military predominance as tools of naked coercion, dispensing entirely with the niceties of international agreements and even domestic constitutional constraint.
—
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Newsweek Writers' Verdict This Week, Three Elections Will Show Trump's Worldwide Impact | Opinion
Congress, Don't Give the Marijuana Industry a Tax Cut | Opinion
Using vague government policy as a tool of political coercion is a tactic historically associated with authoritarian regimes.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
As more women speak out about the financial toll of caregiving, fertility coercion and maternal burnout, this kind of planning may soon shift from thoughtful to essential.
—Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
In order to file a free exercise claim, however, plaintiffs have to prove that there is a real measure of coercion that attempts to steer kids into adopting a certain belief.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
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Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Newsweek Writers' Verdict This Week, Three Elections Will Show Trump's Worldwide Impact | Opinion
Congress, Don't Give the Marijuana Industry a Tax Cut | Opinion
Using vague government policy as a tool of political coercion is a tactic historically associated with authoritarian regimes.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025
As more women speak out about the financial toll of caregiving, fertility coercion and maternal burnout, this kind of planning may soon shift from thoughtful to essential.
—Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
In order to file a free exercise claim, however, plaintiffs have to prove that there is a real measure of coercion that attempts to steer kids into adopting a certain belief.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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