coercive
adjective
co·er·cive
kō-ˈər-siv 
: serving or intended to coerce
coercive power
coercive measures
coercively
adverb
coerciveness
noun
Examples of coercive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One reason adoption of coercive control consideration has been slow is that the concept can be unjustly applied to victims themselves.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Christopher Trybus, Baird's husband, was tried on charges of manslaughter, coercive control and rape in connection with her death, but was found not guilty of them all on Wednesday, April 22, nearly nine years after her death, according to the BBC and The Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The lawyer noted the statement could be suppressed in court if it was obtained through leading questions, a prolonged interrogation, or coercive tactics.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Some analysts see the blockade as coercive leverage rather than a terminal escalation.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
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Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Christopher Trybus, Baird's husband, was tried on charges of manslaughter, coercive control and rape in connection with her death, but was found not guilty of them all on Wednesday, April 22, nearly nine years after her death, according to the BBC and The Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The lawyer noted the statement could be suppressed in court if it was obtained through leading questions, a prolonged interrogation, or coercive tactics.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Some analysts see the blockade as coercive leverage rather than a terminal escalation.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercive. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
coercive
adjective
co·er·cive
kō-ˈər-siv
1
: serving or intended to coerce
2
: resulting from coercion
to protect women from coercive intimacy—Kimberle Crenshaw
Kimberle CrenshawLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
