duress

noun

du·​ress du̇-ˈres 

 also  dyu̇-

1

law : forcible restraint or restriction

while the German army was still held in duress by the Versailles treaty

—S. L. A. Marshall

2

law : compulsion (see compulsion sense 1a) by threat

gave the statement under duress

specifically : unlawful constraint

held under duress

Did you know?

Duress: Its Origin and Relations

Duress is most often paired with the word under to refer to force or threats meant to make someone do something. For example, someone forced to sign a document signs it “under duress,” and a person held “under duress” is not free to leave but is being constrained, usually unlawfully. (Do not confuse being “under duress” with being “under stress,” which is a much more common occurrence.) Duress is ultimately from Latin durus, meaning "hard," source too of durable and endure.

Synonyms

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

Examples of duress in a Sentence

He gave the information under duress.

complied with the order only under duress

Recent Examples on the Web

During the Hamas' release ceremony Saturday, a beaming Omer Shem Tov — acting under duress — blew kisses to a crowd of Palestinians in Gaza, flashed a thumbs-up, and even kissed the two militants next to him on the head. —Associated Press, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025

Yarden appeared to be in extreme distress in the video and was very likely speaking under duress. —Tim Lister, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025

Yet, this also raises issues—the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designations and material support clauses mean that any legal business paying extortion fees to cartels, even unknowingly or under duress, could face legal consequences. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

Given how widespread extortion is in Mexico—and that tens of thousands of people there work for cartels, either willingly or under duress—the designation would dramatically dampen U.S. trade with the country if the United States resorts to mounting large-scale prosecutions. —Vanda Felbab-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English duresse, from Anglo-French duresce hardness, severity, from Latin duritia, from durus — see during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

duress

noun

du·​ress d(y)u̇-ˈres 

: the use of force or threats

Legal Definition

duress

noun

du·​ress du̇-ˈres, dyu̇- 

: wrongful and usually unlawful compulsion (as threats of physical violence) that induces a person to act against his or her will : coercion

also : the affirmative defense of having acted under duress see also economic duress compare necessity, undue influence

Note: A person may be able to avoid the consequences of his or her acts under the law if they were performed while under duress. For example, a contract made under duress is voidable by the coerced party. Similarly, a will signed under duress is invalid. Duress may also be used to justify a criminal act.

Etymology

Anglo-French duresce, literally, hardness, harshness, from Old French, from Latin duritia, from durus hard