COERCIVE Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

coercive

adjective

Definition of coercive

as in persistent

formal using force or threats to make someone do something; using coercion coercive measures

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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 coercive Rights groups say the number of Americans unjustly detained in the country ranges from a dozen to hundreds, including coercive exit bans. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 According to information provided to the court, that witness is expected to testify about coercive interrogation techniques and how memory becomes less reliable over time. — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 According to analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Beijing has deployed coercive agriculture trade restrictions 26 times since 2010, including five in 2025 alone. — Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 The feature could help someone facing a violent thief or another coercive situation. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coercive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive

Adjective

This reality, intensified by persistent inflation, is why the 60/30/10 budgeting method has been rising in popularity.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 7 Sep. 2026
Now, experts fear a persistent failure is colliding with a rapid expansion of immigration enforcement — one pushed to deliver record numbers of arrests, increasingly aided by state and local police and operating with fewer internal checks.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of persistent

Adjective

Gordon’s relentless efforts in high pressing and other team-wide work have been outstanding, and have been complemented by no little quality on the ball.

— Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
That’s an increasingly pressing question in light of the spate of rogue AI incidents that have hit OpenAI and Anthropic this summer.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pressing

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coercions

coercive

coetaneous

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“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of coercive

adjective

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