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
Several recent reports indicate that discussions have been held about bringing in an experienced veteran next season to start and give McCarthy another year to sit, learn the offense, and develop while not under duress every week.
—
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
On the same day, lawmakers will also gain access to the new mobile duress system, which will provide real-time alerts from local law enforcement, Capitol Police, and the SAA, according to Roll Call.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 Nov. 2025
But coach Brian Dutcher will gladly take a metrics hit in exchange for the game film and the second-half minutes under relative duress.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Because that’s the best option, especially under duress.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duress
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
On the same day, lawmakers will also gain access to the new mobile duress system, which will provide real-time alerts from local law enforcement, Capitol Police, and the SAA, according to Roll Call.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 Nov. 2025
But coach Brian Dutcher will gladly take a metrics hit in exchange for the game film and the second-half minutes under relative duress.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
Because that’s the best option, especially under duress.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
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Auburn committed 26 against Texas' full- and half-court pressure with the Longhorns turning them into 40 points.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Polymer packaging requires injection molding, which normally uses high pressure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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China’s true constraints Beijing has not refrained from action against Taiwan out of deference to international law and norms.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
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That work—integrating hardware, software, sensors, safety systems, and real-world constraints—remains enormously difficult, slow, and capital-intensive.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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These obsessions and compulsions can vary from person to person.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
15 Dec. 2025
Noun
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In recent years Beijing has ramped up its military intimidation of Taiwan, including by simulating blockades.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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Those groups have been active in the streets, detaining opponents and reinforcing regime authority through intimidation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Kelly, clearly, will keep standing up to these feckless attempts at coercion.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
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External coercion absent a credible internal political project does not deliver freedom.—
Sanam Vakil,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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