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

Three other former Spanish federation members accused of coercion — former women's team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men's team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — also were cleared of that charge. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

The three other former Spanish federation members accused of coercion — former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — also were cleared. —Tales Azzoni, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

The court acquitted three other former Spanish federation members accused of coercion: former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera. —Associated Press, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025

These, puppet masters could win an Emmy Award through deceit and coercion to further their own goals at the expense of others. —Jason Walker, Forbes, 22 Jan. 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