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

But some senior Western diplomats and analysts say China would possibly resort to nuclear coercion to limit outside involvement in a conflict over Taiwan. —Reuters, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Aureliano Buendía’s journey is not that of a hero who triumphs after overcoming obstacles, but that of a figure driven by inner will who is overcome by external coercion. —Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026

The movie centers around a shy music store employee’s wish for his childhood crush to fall in love with him, exploring themes of coercion, loss of autonomy and toxic romance. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

But the history of sterilization is also deeply entangled with coercion in the form of racial targeting, invalid consent and state control. —Kimberly Turner, The Conversation, 22 May 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