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

The Buildings Department plans to bolster the good will Pilku’s counting on with a suite of regulatory changes that are working their way through the system, some of them in the form of incentive rather than coercion. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026

What are the limits of force, coercion and power? — Robert Parkinson, The Conversation, 24 June 2026

Tariffs are being imposed, there are strong impediments to any movement of labor, and economic coercion is being used practically everywhere. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

Behind these online operations was a system of coercion. — Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 21 June 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