duress

noun

du̇-ˈres How to pronounce duress (audio)
Definition of duressnext
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another complied with the order only under duress

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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 duress The lawsuit says Meta is seeking $50,000 in damages for each time Wynn-Williams purportedly violates the non-disparagement agreement, putting her under financial duress. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 The tricky double lane change is a serious test of the electric SUV’s handling and stability under duress. — IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2026 Whether to add a new instrument to the arsenal is a decision the country can make deliberately today, or under duress later. — Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026 When lens flares continually beam right at the screen, the whole movie feels like enlightenment under duress. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
  1. pressure
  2. constraint
  3. compulsion
  4. intimidation
  5. coercion
Noun
  • Another shoe will drop for SpaceX this week when close to a billion shares held by insiders can be sold for the first time on Thursday, which traditionally puts downward pressure on newly IPOed company stock prices.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • His government has rarely been seen to yield to public pressure.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Device fragmentation, network variability, OS-level constraints, battery states and memory limits are not edge cases.
    — Jim Douglas, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Over the weekend of July 18 to July 19, OpenAI employees began to see signs in their systems that the agent had escaped from the testing constraints.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • The compulsion to seek out fun in summer heat is driven by a mix of biological boosts, social conditioning, and psychological relief from winter confinement.
    — Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble.
    — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026
Definition of compulsion
Noun
  • But fears of future intimidation do not excuse preemptive capitulation.
    — Ivan Oransky, STAT, 31 July 2026
  • Majorities of Americans are worried about election officials being coerced, lax ballot security, and voter intimidation leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, according to new polling from Gallup.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • These are predictable outcomes of a system that exposes women, often in isolation, to contact with unknown men under conditions shaped by coercion, stigma, and inequality.
    — Judy Harris Kluger, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • The decision must be voluntary, informed, and free of coercion.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of coercion

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Cite this Entry

“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of duress for Spanish Speakers

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