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
As Venus agitates Pluto, beware of rationalizing a romantic partner’s coercive behavior.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Russia’s persistent nuclear threats during its war on Ukraine show how deeply possessors may still rely on these weapons as tools of coercive foreign policy.
—Stephen Herzog, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
The federal government’s coercive meddling in higher education—freezing funding, revoking student visas, dictating what can be taught, and pressuring university presidents to resign—is dismantling the very system that has ensured America’s economic dynamism for 80 years.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Cartwright has also been accused of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1, 2022, and April 14, 2024, The Times reported.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Usa Today, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
Russia’s persistent nuclear threats during its war on Ukraine show how deeply possessors may still rely on these weapons as tools of coercive foreign policy.
—Stephen Herzog, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
The federal government’s coercive meddling in higher education—freezing funding, revoking student visas, dictating what can be taught, and pressuring university presidents to resign—is dismantling the very system that has ensured America’s economic dynamism for 80 years.
—Ian Simmons, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Cartwright has also been accused of controlling and coercive behaviour between May 1, 2022, and April 14, 2024, The Times reported.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive
Adjective
-
One woman's recent attempt to catch a break from a relentless game of fetch with her canine has become a viral TikTok moment, capturing the sweet and persistent nature of a Labrador retriever.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Aug. 2025
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But a fair number of Perseids are typically fast, bright and occasionally leave persistent trains.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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However, the bedrock of the team’s strong performance was their pressing and defensive solidity that completely neutralised Villa’s attack.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Toran, thankfully, interrupts Seldon with a more pressing matter: What about the Mule?—
Rafael Motamayor,
Vulture,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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