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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Recent Examples of coercion
Negative freedom means freedom from coercion—no one telling you what to do.
—
Henrietta Moore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
James Styner, 20, pleaded guilty in federal court in the District of Columbia to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography, and three counts of receipt of child pornography, according to federal prosecutors.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Many journalists don’t want to lose access and are subject to coercion and intimidation that can influence their reporting.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Its alignment with figures like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un symbolizes the isolation and reputational decay of a regime that relies on coercion rather than consent.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Henrietta Moore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
James Styner, 20, pleaded guilty in federal court in the District of Columbia to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography, and three counts of receipt of child pornography, according to federal prosecutors.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Many journalists don’t want to lose access and are subject to coercion and intimidation that can influence their reporting.
—Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Its alignment with figures like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un symbolizes the isolation and reputational decay of a regime that relies on coercion rather than consent.
—Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercion
Noun
-
Air pressure in the plane keeps them closed when the plane is cruising.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
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Blitzes aren’t getting home Through three games, the Dolphins have blitzed opposing quarterbacks more than any other team in the NFL, yet have the fewest amount of pressures.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Forcing athletes to find new affordances within various constraints makes perception-action coupling more efficient.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Castro’s talent lies in meticulously creating a realistic—and entertaining—portrait of one man’s compulsions, bringing individual texture to a curious social phenomenon.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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And that compulsion — a genuine, profound desire to share her findings with the world — makes for a classic, stick-to-your ribs documentary experience about a fascinating person.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is about sowing fear and intimidation and division among Americans.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
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Congressional Democrats panned the memo as an intimidation tactic.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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America has seen numerous acts of politically motivated violence over the past year.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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Antle says while there has definitely been violence on both sides, Democrats have greater ability to reach the types of people who are posting the violent rhetoric on social media.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercion. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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