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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 Willis was under duress from the Raiders’ pass rush for most of the day, getting sacked five times while tossing one interception. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 Records show it was sold without any apparent signs of duress by dealer Raphaël Gérard to the Abels gallery, which had been active in France during the war, and then it was acquired by an individual in Germany. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 Sep. 2026 In the clip below, Steinberg gives a sense of the psychological duress of his ocean journey. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 Five plays later, including a six-yard scramble by Karl under heavy duress, Turnbow scored from the 4 for a 7-6 lead. — Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 4 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
  • China is set to release its latest official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index as investors assess the outlook for factory activity, domestic demand and exports amid persistent pressure on the world’s second-largest economy.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • But Young, under monstrous pressure all day, threw the ball well short of the sticks on one fourth-and-long and then got picked off when his arm got hit on Carolina’s final effort.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • The jury noted the film, which had its world premiere at Oldenburg, was made without a budget and praised the resourcefulness that constraint produced, comparing its tone to the irreverence of 1990s comedies.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The deal comes as landfill capacity constraints, corporate sustainability commitments and organics diversion policies drive greater demand for alternatives to sending food waste to landfills.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • Still, from early on, Brigitte understood the compulsion as evidence of her mother’s resolve.
    — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Long before the serial killings, Puente publicly claimed to have adopted them — revealing her desperate need for attention and a compulsion to lie.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Noun
  • The government says some alleged co-conspirators remain at large in Venezuela and are capable of violence and witness intimidation, raising the possibility that Flores could direct others to act on her behalf if released.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Connecticut State Colleges and Universities is discontinuing the investigation into a complaint of bullying and workplace intimidation against Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro following her resignation.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • Audience capture operates through reinforcement rather than coercion.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But anger over government coercion shouldn’t become hostility toward a promising medical technology.
    — Sally C. Pipes, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of coercion

Browse Nearby Words

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 30 Sep. 2026.

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