duress

noun

du·​ress du̇-ˈres How to pronounce duress (audio)
 also  dyu̇-
1
law : forcible restraint or restriction
while the German army was still held in duress by the Versailles treatyS. L. A. Marshall
2
law : compulsion (see compulsion sense 1a) by threat
gave the statement under duress
specifically : unlawful constraint
held under duress

Did you know?

Duress: Its Origin and Relations

Duress is most often paired with the word under to refer to force or threats meant to make someone do something. For example, someone forced to sign a document signs it “under duress,” and a person held “under duress” is not free to leave but is being constrained, usually unlawfully. (Do not confuse being “under duress” with being “under stress,” which is a much more common occurrence.) Duress is ultimately from Latin durus, meaning "hard," source too of durable and endure.

Examples of duress in a Sentence

He gave the information under duress. complied with the order only under duress
Recent Examples on the Web The principles also encourage countries to identify and research cultural property that may have changed hands during World War II and to return work that was looted, confiscated or sold under duress. Carlie Porterfield, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Skills can be used at any time while blocking, helping players fight back while under duress. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024 But place him under duress and his performance will begin to fade. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 25 Jan. 2024 The dream of homeownership, etched deep into the American ethos, is under duress. Michael Lucarelli, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 In fact, many tax pros recommend setting up an account just in case you get audited or run into other problems, rather than waiting to do it while under duress. Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Russian investigators released an interrogation video, clearly filmed under duress, in which Trepova looks terrified and exhausted. Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024 In high-stress conditions, such as infection, heat, dehydration or even mental duress, where oxygen is low, the sickling gets worse. Janice Blanchard, Scientific American, 18 Dec. 2023 And federal agencies would face escalating challenges in providing critical economic support to Americans under financial duress. Tony Romm, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duress.' 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 duresse, from Anglo-French duresce hardness, severity, from Latin duritia, from durus — see during

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Dictionary Entries Near duress

Cite this Entry

“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duress. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

duress

noun
du·​ress d(y)u̇-ˈres How to pronounce duress (audio)
: the use of force or threats

Legal Definition

duress

noun
du·​ress du̇-ˈres, dyu̇- How to pronounce duress (audio)
: wrongful and usually unlawful compulsion (as threats of physical violence) that induces a person to act against his or her will : coercion
also : the affirmative defense of having acted under duress see also economic duress compare necessity, undue influence

Note: A person may be able to avoid the consequences of his or her acts under the law if they were performed while under duress. For example, a contract made under duress is voidable by the coerced party. Similarly, a will signed under duress is invalid. Duress may also be used to justify a criminal act.

Etymology

Anglo-French duresce, literally, hardness, harshness, from Old French, from Latin duritia, from durus hard

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