coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən 

-shən

: the act, process, or power of coercing

They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms of coercion

• 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 decision must be voluntary, informed, and free of coercion. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The key risk lies not in policy convergence but in setting precedents that blur the boundaries between law enforcement, coercion and commerce. — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

For instance, where there's active addiction, abuse, domestic violence, coercion or unmanaged mental health issues. — Malaka Gharib, NPR, 6 July 2026

House Bill 582, known as the Survivor Justice Act, allows courts to consider reduced sentences for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking who committed crimes under coercion. — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 29 June 2026

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

• mercian
• tertian
• assertion
• cistercian
• desertion
• exertion
• insertion
• 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