coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
: serving or intended to coerce
coercive power
coercive measures
coercively adverb
coerciveness noun

Examples of coercive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the network seemingly caved to the coercive threat instead of fighting for Kimmel. Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025 That’s very different than using the power of government in a coercive way. ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025 Control, often coercive, in the form of ultimatums. Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 This is yet another coercive attempt to advance China's interests at the expense of its neighbors and regional stability. Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coercive

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coercive was circa 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercive. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

coercive

adjective
co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
1
: serving or intended to coerce
2
: resulting from coercion
to protect women from coercive intimacyKimberle Crenshaw

More from Merriam-Webster on coercive

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