COERCION Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

coercion

noun

kō-ˈər-zhən

Definition of coercion

as in pressure

the use of power to impose one's will on another a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of coercion The Buildings Department plans to bolster the good will Pilku’s counting on with a suite of regulatory changes that are working their way through the system, some of them in the form of incentive rather than coercion. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026 Tariffs are being imposed, there are strong impediments to any movement of labor, and economic coercion is being used practically everywhere. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Issa Hamade and Ahmad Harb, both 32, and Sobhi Sobh, 33, were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy, battery with intent to commit mayhem, robbery or grand larceny, and coercion with force or threats, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026 But its owner also used coercion and violence against Native Americans, according to John Fraser, the Capitol District superintendent for California State Parks. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for coercion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercion

Noun

Aquarius has played host to researchers observing the marine life around them, studying the effects of long term pressure on the human body, learning best practices for remote robotic surgery and even growing food and fungi underwater.

— Alex Harris July 15, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Lamine Yamal gets last laugh Spain winger Lamine Yamal put pressure on his teammates with some of his prematch trash talk.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of pressure

Noun

Newsom trimmed California’s initial commitment to local newsrooms in the program’s first year from $100 million, with $55 million coming from Google, to $10 million, from the state and Google each, in response to budgetary constraints.

— Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
The company's approach could address one of the central constraints facing Apple's AI strategy.

— MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 14 July 2026

Definition of constraint

Noun

The most detailed allegations came from a woman named Lyndsey Fifield, who reported controlling behaviors, frequent displays of rage, threats of violence and self-harm, emotional intimidation and physical abuse.

— Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2026
In recent months, police have banned public meetings, arrested and detained some critics of the reforms, while others have alleged harassment and intimidation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Definition of intimidation

Noun

News outlets uncovered years-old comments on Reddit that appeared to endorse political violence, dismiss rape in the military, criticize rural Americans and use anti-gay slurs.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Al-Geneina and al-Fashir saw the most intense violence in the war between the Sudanese army and the RSF that continued for more than three years.

— Reuters, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

coercing

coercion

coercions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercion. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of coercion

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on coercion

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

obdurate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes