as in to compel
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
was coerced into signing the document
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Recent Examples of coerce
Lawsuit alleges Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem coerced Apple to remove Indiana man's ICE monitoring app.
—
Evan Frank, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
However, this kind of rethinking of coverage is not about coercing people to accept worse care in exchange for money.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
The intelligence reports warn that 764 and its many offshoots have expanded into a transnational, online network that glorifies violence and tries to coerce people, often minors, to hurt themselves or others.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coerce
Evan Frank, IndyStar, 12 Feb. 2026
Being coerced into recreational activities against your will suggests a unique type of loneliness—for Sutkowski, one that represents emotional trials far deeper than just an unhappy season in dusty cleats.
—Billie Bugara, Pitchfork, 10 Feb. 2026
However, this kind of rethinking of coverage is not about coercing people to accept worse care in exchange for money.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
The intelligence reports warn that 764 and its many offshoots have expanded into a transnational, online network that glorifies violence and tries to coerce people, often minors, to hurt themselves or others.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coerce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coerce
Verb
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Save the Children has long advocated on behalf of Australian citizens in Syrian detention, and in 2023 took the federal government to court to compel officials to bring them home – and lost.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Can the dunkers rediscover the creativity that compelled Blake Griffin to jump over a car, Gerald Green to blow out a cupcake candle on the rim, Dwight Howard to put on a cape and Vince Carter to stick his whole arm in the hoop?—
Greg Beacham,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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Scottie Barnes won the opening 12-minute game for the Stars with a game-ending 3-pointer in overtime, beating the World 37-36 after Edwards forced OT.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In prior administrations, including during my time in the Obama administration, such leverage ran into statutory guardrails under the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates the United States to provide Taiwan defensive capabilities.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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Even as Russian and Chinese state media were replacing American news reporting, USAGM was obligated to pay salaries and benefits to hundreds of people placed on leave.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last month, the park service obliged, eliminating an outdoor exhibit at Independence National Historical Park, in Philadelphia, where George Washington’s house once stood.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo points to the space in frame three, and Rafa Marin obliges, firing the ball through to Santi Comesana and taking six Juventus players out of the game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coerce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coerce. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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