coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən How to pronounce coercion (audio)
-shən
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web Expect lots of martial-arts action (both one-on-one and group fighting), including sometimes-intense scenes of widespread destruction and coercion and characters having their powers stolen to be used for evil. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Whether the locals had continued the operation by coercion or cooperation is unclear. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The suit comes days after another legal filing in the world of Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, this one from a former cast member of its New York variant claiming coercion and a callous nature toward cast members’ mental health and alleging some questionable-to-bad behavior from producers. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Bodily autonomy, or the right to make decisions about your own body, life, and future without coercion or violence, is rarely called out directly in discussions on pregnancy and birth. Essence, 28 Feb. 2024 The American invasion of Iraq shows that no such coercion is necessary; bureaucratic deference to authority and routine careerism can keep people in line just fine. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 At issue is whether constant government communication with those sites amounted to coercion — and whether federal officials should be doing that all. Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 6 Feb. 2024 This meddling by the state, like past coercion, is counterproductive. Chelsea Follett, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 Beijing makes no secret of its intent to displace Washington as the motor that drives the world’s economies—or of its willingness to use subsidies, espionage, and coercion to achieve this end. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coercion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near coercion

Cite this Entry

“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

coercion

noun
co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən How to pronounce coercion (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on coercion

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