Main Entry:

co·erce

Pronunciation:

\kō-ˈərs\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

co·erced; co·erc·ing

Etymology:

Middle English cohercen, from Anglo-French *cohercer Latin coercēre, from co- + arcēre to shut up, enclose — more at ark

Date:

15th century

1 : to restrain or dominate by force <religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious — W. R. Inge> 2 : to compel to an act or choice <was coerced into agreeing> 3 : to achieve by force or threat <coerce compliance>

synonyms see force

— co·erc·ible \-ˈər-sə-bəl\ adjective