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

Andrew Tate also faces a civil suit in the UK from four women who have accused him of rape and coercive control. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Trained as a solicitor 26 years ago, Amrit has built a parallel practice supporting victims of narcissistic abuse, coercive control and violence against women and young girls. — Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Tshisekedi last week ordered the finance, economy and mines ministries, along with revenue agencies, to ensure coercive measures remain exceptional, legally justified, and proportionate. — Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 16 July 2026

But the day-to-day reality of life under Jones’s violent, coercive rule was far bleaker, prompting relatives of Temple members to demand an investigation. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coercive

• coercive force

Rhymes for coercive

• cursive
• aversive
• discursive
• dispersive
• immersive
• recursive
• subversive

Legal 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