coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən 

-shən

: the act, process, or power of coercing

They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms

• pressure
• constraint
• compulsion
• intimidation
• violence

Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

Recent Examples on the Web

The trial delved into complexities of relationships and questions of consent and coercion. —Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 4 July 2025

Moldova has been shaken by Russian meddling in the form of energy coercion, election interference and disinformation campaigns. —arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025

Combs' case proved particularly challenging, wading into the murky gray areas of consent and coercion, celebrity, complex workplace dynamics and the myriad ways that people cope with trauma. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 3 July 2025

The argument was that Combs’s employees, following his orders, facilitated a pattern of coercion and violence that far exceeded typical celebrity shenanigans. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 3 July 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