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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Recent Examples of duress
Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress.
—
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Several members have since parted ways with the group and revised their statements to police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, according to Colton Police Sgt.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
But his worst decision-making comes when under duress.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Her film is an honorable attempt to dramatize the everyday agonies and frustrations of Red Crescent workers, to honor their quick thinking and astonishing courage under duress.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Several members have since parted ways with the group and revised their statements to police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, according to Colton Police Sgt.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
But his worst decision-making comes when under duress.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Her film is an honorable attempt to dramatize the everyday agonies and frustrations of Red Crescent workers, to honor their quick thinking and astonishing courage under duress.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
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As priorities are refreshed and budgets defended, the pressure to demonstrate productivity in visible ways becomes the default response.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Thermal and pressure bonding of a capping layer The research team showed that thermal and pressure bonding of a capping layer to a perovskite surface suppresses defect initiation from iodide loss and enhances long-term stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, late last week the city received notice that the organization was pulling their offer, citing capacity constraints.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Power availability has already emerged as a limiting factor for data center developers, with one analysis finding that constraints were extending construction timelines by 24 to 72 months.—
Jon Markman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Conditional Belonging Leads To Compulsive Giving A 2019 study on attachment and development points to a common origin story for this compulsion.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
He was previously charged with domestic violence, intimidation, possession of a weapon, violation of a court order and vehicle theft, the agency said.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
This week, Scott was convicted of witness intimidation by a jury.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
When energy security is pursued through coercion, legal shortcuts, or discretionary intervention, those foundations weaken.—
Maria Mendiluce,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
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To overthrow a government that uses brutality and coercion to cling to power and whose militancy had made their country an international pariah, impoverishing its citizens.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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