coercion

noun

co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən How to pronounce coercion (audio)
-shən
Synonyms of coercion
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.

Synonyms of coercion

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Examples of coercion in a Sentence

a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Iceland, which has a robust coast guard but no army or defense ministry of its own, finds itself in an interesting position in a world of great power coercion. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 As a trade alliance, TABLE must set up physical and digital value chains that are immune to coercion. — Wal Van Lierop, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Mark Carney drew international attention as Canada’s prime minister by warning that middle powers must resist economic coercion by more powerful countries. — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026 In every interview, responders described legal coercion that followed them well beyond the clinical relationship — from confusion about how an order ends to collateral harm to employment, housing, custody proceedings, and immigration status. — Sakeena Trice, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coercion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coercion was in the 15th century

Rhymes for coercion

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Browse Nearby Words

coercible
coercion
coercive
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Cite this Entry

“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

coercion

noun
co·​er·​cion kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən How to pronounce coercion (audio)
: 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
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