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

In Monday’s order, the court stressed extensive evidence of Combs assaulting two former long-term girlfriends, among other things indicating his inclination toward violence, coercion and subjugation. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025

Margo is a magnetic queen bee, a woman who runs her social circle through a mixture of coercion and seduction, and Sophie’s immediately drawn to her. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 July 2025

He has been indicted on one count each of coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 18 July 2025

No charges were filed against them either in Nevada or Idaho because law enforcement authorities are said to believe that both men acted under coercion and duress. —Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 17 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