as in persistent
formal
using force or threats to make someone do something; using coercion
coercive measures
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 coercive
Farahmand said the hangings are also intended to counter a growing perception — inside Iran and among opponents abroad — that sustained attacks on the police and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could eventually fracture the state’s coercive power.
—
Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Trump maintains leverage through control of Ukraine support, military aid, intelligence sharing and Middle Eastern oil access, giving him coercive power over reluctant partners.
—John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
January’s massacre of more than 30,000 Iranians by regime security forces remains a brutal reminder of what peaceful demonstrators face when confronting a coercive state.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Its ballistic missile arsenal and advancing nuclear program gave it coercive leverage that no neighbor could ignore.
—Andrew Ghalili, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Mohammed Tawfeeq, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Trump maintains leverage through control of Ukraine support, military aid, intelligence sharing and Middle Eastern oil access, giving him coercive power over reluctant partners.
—John Leicester, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
January’s massacre of more than 30,000 Iranians by regime security forces remains a brutal reminder of what peaceful demonstrators face when confronting a coercive state.
—Richard Goldberg, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
Its ballistic missile arsenal and advancing nuclear program gave it coercive leverage that no neighbor could ignore.
—Andrew Ghalili, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive
Adjective
-
But his career ended prematurely when persistent groin problems eventually resulted in the diagnosis of a degenerative right side.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Tarver represents a South Side district and has been a persistent critic of Johnson’s approach to Springfield.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Presented by City National Bank, attendees gathered in Los Angeles to hear from dealmakers and litigators on Hollywood’s most pressing issues.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But the lack of dependability around them and incoming extension negotiations tells a more pressing story.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
