coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən 

-shən

: the act, process, or power of coercing

They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms

• pressure
• constraint
• compulsion
• intimidation
• violence

Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

Recent Examples on the Web

Many journalists don’t want to lose access and are subject to coercion and intimidation that can influence their reporting. —Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

James Styner, 20, pleaded guilty in federal court in the District of Columbia to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of distribution of child pornography, and three counts of receipt of child pornography, according to federal prosecutors. —City News Service, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025

Its alignment with figures like North Korea’s Kim Jong Un symbolizes the isolation and reputational decay of a regime that relies on coercion rather than consent. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Hegemons use consent and conformism (coercion) to maintain power. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cohercion, borrowed from Anglo-French cohercioun, borrowed from Late Latin coerctiōn-, coerctiō, by-form of Latin coercitiōn-, coercitiō, from coerci-, variant stem of coercēre "to coerce" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for coercion

• assertion
• cistercian
• desertion
• exertion
• insertion
• mercian
• overexertion
• reassertion

Legal Definition

coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən 

: the use of express or implied threats of violence or reprisal (as discharge from employment) or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences in order to compel that person to act against his or her will

also : the defense that one acted under coercion see also defense, duress compare undue influence