as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coercion
In one of her final chapters, Johnson observes how recent horror films such as The First Omen and Immaculate have revisited reproductive-coercion stories through a post-Roe lens.
—
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Both Beijing and Washington are trading accusations that the other side's economic coercion is wreaking havoc on the global economy.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Adopting China’s position in this way would be a blunder, diminishing Taiwan’s resolve to resist Chinese aggression and coercion.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tokyo and New Delhi are deepening their multi-layered cooperation as part of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, referring to bilateral ties that seek a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and coercion-free Indo-Pacific.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
Both Beijing and Washington are trading accusations that the other side's economic coercion is wreaking havoc on the global economy.
—Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
Adopting China’s position in this way would be a blunder, diminishing Taiwan’s resolve to resist Chinese aggression and coercion.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said Tokyo and New Delhi are deepening their multi-layered cooperation as part of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership, referring to bilateral ties that seek a free, open, peaceful, prosperous and coercion-free Indo-Pacific.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercion
Noun
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For those who do know him, the optics are less about political pressure and more about simple, unadulterated pride.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Mexico enters the 2026 World Cup with the excitement and pressure of co-hosting the tournament, eager to finally break its long-standing barrier of reaching the Round of 16.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Given a series of intra-quarter checks around build rates and promotional activity that suggested strong demand, constraints appear have pushed some sale into the Dec qtr with the company expecting iPhone rev to be up ‘double-digits’ with constraints spilling into the Dec qtr as well.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
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The hope is that, armed with new technology, that decline of foreign aid serves a rallying call that compels African countries to forge their own paths, free from the constraints of aid dependency and external policy pressures.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Court records show Sophie was charged with two counts of burglary, criminal trespassing, simple assault and rape forcible compulsion.—
Mike Stunson,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
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But now, having reined in his recklessness and compulsion to constantly create and force plays, the Patriots have developed an elite prospect into a promising pro passer.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And with the 2026 midterms looming, some experts worry Guard troops could even be used as a tool of systemic voter suppression and intimidation.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
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Church members reported an uptick in harassment and intimidation.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The texts emerged as Republicans have sought to link Democrats’ rhetoric to acts of political violence, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.—
Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
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Jones faced calls from Republicans to drop out of the race in October after Jones' recent texting scandal, in which he was revealed to have called for violence against a Republican lawmaker.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercion. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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