as in persistent
formal
using force or threats to make someone do something; using coercion
coercive measures
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Recent Examples of coercive
Many countries understand that a China-centric world would come with strings attached, and Beijing may be unable to resist escalating its numerous territorial disputes in Asia or flexing its coercive capabilities.
—
Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
But the network seemingly caved to the coercive threat instead of fighting for Kimmel.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s very different than using the power of government in a coercive way.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Control, often coercive, in the form of ultimatums.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Jeffrey Prescott, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
But the network seemingly caved to the coercive threat instead of fighting for Kimmel.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s very different than using the power of government in a coercive way.
—ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Control, often coercive, in the form of ultimatums.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive
Adjective
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Those who have trouble breathing, chest pain, a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or a persistent cough should seek medical care, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
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The novelist Adam Johnson is not a writer of that doggedly persistent kind.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In an age dominated by artificial intelligence, where data access speed is everything, this advancement addresses one of computing’s most pressing bottlenecks.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
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As universities continue to adopt AI technologies, the consequences for intellectual freedom, democratic decision-making and commitment to the public good will become an increasingly pressing question.—
Chris Wegemer,
The Conversation,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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