coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən 

-shən

: the act, process, or power of coercing

They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms

• arm-twisting
• compulsion
• constraint
• duress
• force
• pressure

Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

Recent Examples on the Web

China’s use of economic coercion against South Korea has fueled such anti-Beijing attitudes in recent years. —Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025

The hammer of government coercion is reserved exclusively for use on taxpayers. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 5 June 2025

Defense portrayed Combs as having the final say over Cassie's look as a business decision instead of an element of coercion, as prosecutors alleged. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 28 May 2025

Beijing will draw from its playbook of disinformation and economic coercion. —Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 May 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