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
Media coverage related to coercive control can help raise awareness.
—
Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 1 May 2025
In the absence of severe consequences, Beijing will continue and even intensify its coercive actions.
—David Santoro, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2025
Rather than trying to win friends, the wielders of coercive hard power bully others with economic and military might, sometimes achieving their short-term goals but inevitably building resentment in the process.
—Angela Lederach, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Trump started threatening to annex Canada, and started backing that rhetoric with coercive policies, like hitting Canada with tariffs for no discernible reason, and without any sensical guidance as to how Canada could reverse them.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 1 May 2025
In the absence of severe consequences, Beijing will continue and even intensify its coercive actions.
—David Santoro, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2025
Rather than trying to win friends, the wielders of coercive hard power bully others with economic and military might, sometimes achieving their short-term goals but inevitably building resentment in the process.
—Angela Lederach, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
Trump started threatening to annex Canada, and started backing that rhetoric with coercive policies, like hitting Canada with tariffs for no discernible reason, and without any sensical guidance as to how Canada could reverse them.
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive
Adjective
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Yet some of the most pervasive threats for LGBTQ+ performers don’t come in-person — they’re instead issued online, via social media accounts mounting hate campaigns that result in persistent threats of violence and death.—
Stephen Daw,
Billboard,
12 June 2025
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Still, empowering women athletes to reach their full potential depends on closing persistent gaps in pay, media coverage and funding.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Create a navigation structure that answers your users’ most pressing questions: What problem does your product solve?—
Daria Gonzalez,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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The Chargers’ second-year wide receiver, who caught 82 passes for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns, has more pressing issues to worry about.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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