as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coercion
Soft power is the ability to influence international relations through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.
—
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
But during arguments in the fall, Chiles' lawyer, James Campbell, told the justices that the way his client wishes to practice conversion therapy involves no physical restraints or coercion of any kind.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors allege that Combs arranged travel for the men, sometimes across the country or internationally, and allegedly used coercion and control in his relationships.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
In the wake of the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, Congress responded by creating the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an emergency stockpile designed to protect the nation from foreign coercion and sudden supply shocks.
—John Adams, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
But during arguments in the fall, Chiles' lawyer, James Campbell, told the justices that the way his client wishes to practice conversion therapy involves no physical restraints or coercion of any kind.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors allege that Combs arranged travel for the men, sometimes across the country or internationally, and allegedly used coercion and control in his relationships.
—Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
In the wake of the Arab oil embargo in the 1970s, Congress responded by creating the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an emergency stockpile designed to protect the nation from foreign coercion and sudden supply shocks.
—John Adams, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercion
Noun
-
Lago explained in a March 10 meeting that the fee would make required maintenance cheaper and easier for business owners, while letting the city manage sidewalk pressure-cleaning and repairs, landscaping and streetscape upkeep to clean and beautify the city.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Geopolitical shifts compound these pressures.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some of these clouds could be thick enough to trigger launch constraints.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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While efforts to curb reliance on virgin synthetics have largely centered on recycled polyester, that approach has faced cost, feedstock and scaling constraints.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Christgau has 14,000 reviews and counting, and that’s his glory and his compulsion.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
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As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Any group of employees that forms an internal clique with secret membership, intimidation, special treatment, or retaliation is incompatible with public service and will be eliminated from this department.—
Opinion Staff,
Daily News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Tycie Denise Parham, 48, and Gerald Keith Towns, 62, are both charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, witness intimidation and conspiracy to commit witness intimidation.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The records also show Renfro is facing several other charges from previous cases, including assault causing bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury-family violence, evading arrest or detention, and continuous violence against the family.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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The siting of the rites at the Colosseum—where it has been held since 1964, echoing a practice from the eighteenth century—means that the Pope enacts Jesus’ final hours not in a Baroque basilica but against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which exercised power through violence.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercion. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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