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
With Wallstedt under duress and sliding from post to post, Preds star Steven Stamkos gave Nashville the game’s first lead with a wraparound that was a half-second quicker than Quinn Hughes’ attempt to deflect the puck.
—
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
Under Texas law, a contract signed under duress is generally voidable if it was obtained through an improper or unlawful threat that overrode the signer’s free will.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026
Some of it has to do with the understated grace of Ninomiya’s performance as the Lost Man, whose gentleness of spirit, even under anxiety and duress, rang a distant bell.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hawks lost because of some bad possessions under duress and their inability to prevent Knicks star Jalen Brunson from making winning plays of his own.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026
Under Texas law, a contract signed under duress is generally voidable if it was obtained through an improper or unlawful threat that overrode the signer’s free will.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 10 Apr. 2026
Some of it has to do with the understated grace of Ninomiya’s performance as the Lost Man, whose gentleness of spirit, even under anxiety and duress, rang a distant bell.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hawks lost because of some bad possessions under duress and their inability to prevent Knicks star Jalen Brunson from making winning plays of his own.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
-
Indian market opportunity, however, comes with the pressure to pivot strategy based on consumer preferences.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
Later, the Moon squares Mars in Aries, which can create pressure to move faster than necessary.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Some airlines and independent lounges sell day passes, but availability is often limited due to capacity constraints.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Law said the bill is lacking an education and outreach provision due largely to budget constraints.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The episodes will focus on the interview subject’s compulsion to create, an obsession for Mason who grew up with a stepfather who was a portrait artist.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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That last sentence springs straight from Melville’s first chapter — for him, and for Wilson, too, a schoolboy’s compulsion toward the sea is no different from an artist’s to make art.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
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In Ross Township, the race between Jones and Blackmon featured reports of intimidation and social media sniping.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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The group also expressed concern over allegations that Carmen Teresa Navas, described as an elderly woman, had been subjected to intimidation and warnings by state officials while advocating for information about her son.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Smith further argued that mailing the drug without in-person screenings leaves women without adequate medical oversight or evaluation for contraindications, coercion, and other health concerns.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
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By the same principle, public discourse is authentic only when no participant is excluded, no opinion is forbidden, and no one is subjected to coercion.—
Adam Kirsch,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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