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

They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026

Autonomy, in this light, is not simply the absence of coercion. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

Beijing has a history of using economic coercion, like cutting off rare-earth exports or restricting market access, as a tool of foreign policy. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

Even without coercion, depending on China has frustrated many regional politicians. — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 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