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 Falcons pass rush heating up Huntley The Falcons have four sacks and eight quarterback hits on Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, who's been under duress a majority of the night. — AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 In the previous decades, Japan had brought in many Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese laborers, often under duress, to work in factories and mines, usually in atrocious conditions. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Let’s be like Ilya at the keyboard, picking out a tune even in a moment of duress. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026 The Iranian economy has been under duress for years in the face of international sanctions. — Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
  1. pressure
  2. constraint
  3. compulsion
  4. intimidation
  5. coercion
Noun
  • Fernández acknowledged that better spacing, cutting and preparation were needed against Detroit’s pressure.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Floridians are facing real financial pressures, and government should always be expected to operate efficiently.
    — Gilbert Miller, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Those capabilities could support missions that face significant constraints under conventional spacecraft designs.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Beset by budget constraints, the museum ceased operations in June.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • The concern is when seeking reassurance becomes a compulsion—a behavior someone feels driven to repeat to relieve their distress.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Prediction markets then capitalize on the digital environments that profit from young people’s compulsions.
    — Amy L. Kennedy, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Noun
  • Omar, who became a citizen 26 years ago, has long been an outspoken Trump critic and a target of his racist rants, and the raid was a naked display of retribution, persecution and intimidation.
    — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • To combat any potential physical intimidation near voting centers, tens of thousands of volunteers organized by Democrats and voting rights groups plan to watch polling places.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • These policies raise serious questions about religious coercion, gender equality and freedom of conscience.
    — Asma Uddin, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The investigation also found that men from 29 countries were recruited through deception or coercion to fight for Russian forces, in violation of international law.
    — Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of coercion

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durations
duress
duresses
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Cite this Entry

“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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