coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən 
-shən
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.
Synonyms
Examples of coercion in a Sentence
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web
Those who spoke at Garcia’s sentencing told harrowing stories of assault, coercion and brutality during the hours-long shoots, when many wept, bled, vomited, cried out in pain or begged for the filming to stop — scenes that were carefully edited from the final video.
—
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Soft power is generally defined as the ability to influence others through appeal and persuasion rather than coercion.
—Courtney Fingar, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
He is also charged with coercion constituting domestic violence with threat or use of physical force, domestic battery by strangulation, felony battery by a prisoner, misdemeanor domestic battery, driver disobeying a peace officer and several other misdemeanors.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Physical or financial threats to the mother’s wellbeing, the withholding of legal documents and controlling access to medical care would count as coercion in the legislation.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
In recent days, defense lawyers for Trump and his adult sons have attempted to recast Weisselberg's guilty plea as an act of legal coercion, rather than an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The physician would be required to ensure the individual is not making the decision under coercion or undue influence.
—Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024
Generally, reproductive coercion is considered any action to interfere with a woman’s choice of whether to be pregnant and use of contraceptives.
—Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The justices are reviewing a lower-court ruling that sharply limited such interactions, and must clarify when government attempts to combat misinformation cross the line from permissible persuasion to unconstitutional coercion.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Soft power is generally defined as the ability to influence others through appeal and persuasion rather than coercion.
—Courtney Fingar, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
He is also charged with coercion constituting domestic violence with threat or use of physical force, domestic battery by strangulation, felony battery by a prisoner, misdemeanor domestic battery, driver disobeying a peace officer and several other misdemeanors.
—Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Physical or financial threats to the mother’s wellbeing, the withholding of legal documents and controlling access to medical care would count as coercion in the legislation.
—Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 12 Apr. 2024
In recent days, defense lawyers for Trump and his adult sons have attempted to recast Weisselberg's guilty plea as an act of legal coercion, rather than an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
The physician would be required to ensure the individual is not making the decision under coercion or undue influence.
—Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024
Generally, reproductive coercion is considered any action to interfere with a woman’s choice of whether to be pregnant and use of contraceptives.
—Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The justices are reviewing a lower-court ruling that sharply limited such interactions, and must clarify when government attempts to combat misinformation cross the line from permissible persuasion to unconstitutional coercion.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coercion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near coercion
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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