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 comes ultimately from the Latin adjective durus, meaning “hard,” source too of durable and endure.

Synonyms of duress

• pressure
• constraint
• compulsion
• intimidation
• coercion

Examples of duress in a Sentence

He gave the information under duress.

complied with the order only under duress

Recent Examples on the Web

Organs have been reportedly removed in hospitals under duress, and women are routinely raped or executed for speaking their truth. —Maryam Lieberman, HollywoodReporter, 23 Jan. 2026

Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress. —Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026

Several members have since parted ways with the group and revised their statements to police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, according to Colton Police Sgt. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026

But his worst decision-making comes when under duress. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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