coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
: serving or intended to coerce
coercive power
coercive measures
coercively adverb
coerciveness noun

Examples of coercive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In recent years, Pierson has become convinced that a coercive interrogation technique common among U.S. law enforcement agencies can lead to wrongful convictions, and has championed new models of questioning. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 Today, direct intervention may be off the table, but coercive measures can influence Russia’s calculations. Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024 In May 2024, four women filed a lawsuit against Andrew Tate in the U.K.'s High Court, accusing him of rape, physical violence, and coercive control between 2013 and 2016. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 One, the measure--acronym for Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying--seeks to shield a vibrant free press from coercive government intrusion. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coercive 

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coercive was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near coercive

Cite this Entry

“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercive. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

coercive

adjective
co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
1
: serving or intended to coerce
2
: resulting from coercion
to protect women from coercive intimacyKimberle Crenshaw
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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