coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv 

: serving or intended to coerce

coercive power

coercive measures

coercively adverb

coerciveness noun

Examples of coercive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The feature could help someone facing a violent thief or another coercive situation. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Physical assault is against the law, and verbal attacks, coercive control and intimidation are abusive behavior and are unacceptable regardless of gender. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, those looking to spread disinformation, target individuals with coercive personalized influence campaigns or perpetrate scams could find their job made easier. — Emma Woollacott, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Andrew Tate also faces a civil suit in the UK from four women who have accused him of rape and coercive control. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coercive

• coercive force

Rhymes for coercive

• cursive
• aversive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• recursive
• subversive

Legal Definition

coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv 

1

: serving or intended to coerce

2

: resulting from coercion

to protect women from coercive intimacy

—Kimberle Crenshaw