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

Across the Pacific, the signs of Chinese economic coercion and military intimidation are everywhere. —Chris Coons, Time, 3 Sep. 2025

Without a civilizational understanding of Tibetans’ relation to the Dalai Lama and his central place in Tibetan Buddhism, Beijing’s only tool is coercion. —Tenzin Dorjee, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2025

As Matthew and Oliver slowly become enmeshed in an unexpected role-reversal of power, Lurker dials up the queasy tension while carefully exploring matters of manipulation, coercion, and the dark dangers of obsession. —Michael Cuby, Them., 27 Aug. 2025

The United States supports peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposes unilateral changes to the status quo, including through force or coercion. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 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