Synonyms of coerce

coerce

verb

kō-ˈərs 

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

was coerced into signing the document

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compel
• force
• obligate
• oblige
• drive
• intimidate
• constrain
• blackmail
• pressure
• impel
• impress
• bully
• make
• muscle
• press
• browbeat
• sandbag
• dragoon
• blackjack
• threaten
• terrorize
• twist one's arm
• bulldoze
• drag
• harass
• cow
• hector
• menace
• shame
• high-pressure
• badger
• hound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• allow
• permit
• induce
• convince
• move
• satisfy
• talk (into)
• argue
• persuade
• win (over)
• prevail (on or upon)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word coerce different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of coerce are compel, constrain, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for coerce?

The meanings of compel and coerce largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When is it sensible to use constrain instead of coerce?

The words constrain and coerce can be used in similar contexts, but constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

In what contexts can force take the place of coerce?

While in some cases nearly identical to coerce, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

When might oblige be a better fit than coerce?

While the synonyms oblige and coerce are close in meaning, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of coerce

The Husband’s behavior when taken as a whole is evidence of an effort to coerce the Wife into abandoning her marital rights and leaving with nothing. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Thus, if the administration decides to ignore court decisions ordering noninterference with the states or threatens to coerce state authority to do its bidding, state governments can respond in kind by ignoring lawless federal edicts and refusing to cooperate with federal enforcement efforts. —Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2025

Beijing is also well known to have wielded access to its massive market as a weapon to coerce countries, often over political stances that sparked Beijing’s ire. —Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025

The administration is threatening to withhold federal money from universities as a way to coerce many of them to comply with administration policies in ways that implicate free speech and in some instances violate legal processes for the withholding of federal support. —Daniel Hall, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025