as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
complied with the order only under duress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
In the beginning, there was bread The book’s centerpiece chapters on starters, mains and sweets are bookended on one side by a treatise on how to make and store breadcrumbs of various sizes, with an under-duress sub-section about how to buy breadcrumbs.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Treatment of a serious mental illness that can lead to suicide, such as major depressive disorder, often centers on medication and talk therapy with little or no consideration of factors such as social isolation or financial duress.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Preller is hypercompetitive, doing some of his best work when under heavy duress.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
In the beginning, there was bread The book’s centerpiece chapters on starters, mains and sweets are bookended on one side by a treatise on how to make and store breadcrumbs of various sizes, with an under-duress sub-section about how to buy breadcrumbs.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 8 June 2026
Treatment of a serious mental illness that can lead to suicide, such as major depressive disorder, often centers on medication and talk therapy with little or no consideration of factors such as social isolation or financial duress.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Preller is hypercompetitive, doing some of his best work when under heavy duress.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
-
Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, schools faced mounting pressure to raise test scores, creating a fundamental tension between learning time and and play time.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
Turbulent emotions can stir up physical stress when the Leo moon puts pressure on Mars.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
My only entry point was Kendrick's vote of confidence, more notable for the fact that the honor had thus far gone only to his cousin Baby Keem (who this year released a great record beholden to event-album constraints).—
Sheldon Pearce,
NPR,
16 June 2026
-
Prices can sit relatively quiet for months or even years before a surge in investor demand, supply constraints or economic uncertainty sends them sharply higher.—
Faith Wakefield,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Writers write from compulsion, from necessity.—
Walt Hunter,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
For me, one of these compulsions ended up being using the tracking app.—
Sara Rowe Mount,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s the section of Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando where approximately 500 Klansmen, led by officers on horseback, walked slowly in a long line intended as a clear act of intimidation against voters.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
-
When multiple employees independently describe experiences involving intimidation or retaliation after voicing concerns, those claims deserve serious attention.—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
Issa Hamade and Ahmad Harb, both 32, and Sobhi Sobh, 33, were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree kidnapping, extortion, conspiracy, battery with intent to commit mayhem, robbery or grand larceny, and coercion with force or threats, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
But its owner also used coercion and violence against Native Americans, according to John Fraser, the Capitol District superintendent for California State Parks.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
