coerces; coerced; coercing
1
: to make (someone) do something by using force or threats
—usually + into
He was coerced into signing the confession.
Soldiers coerced the residents into giving them food.
The singer was coerced into a contract with the record company.
2
: to get (something) by using force or threats
A confession was coerced from the suspect by police.
Cite this Entry
“Coerce.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/coerce. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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