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.
Tehran fears that surrendering its maritime leverage first would invite fresh demands; Washington worries that easing pressure would reward coercion without securing lasting constraints on Iran’s nuclear program. — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 Washington needs to understand that Russia’s nonnuclear coercion has become a part of its ongoing deterrence strategy against Europe rather than simply a feature of the war itself. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026 The idea that the absence of private property and systematic inequality automatically removes coercion—which forms the core of the Marxist theory of history—is not proven. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 Often, smugglers are only engaged in the industry out of financial necessity or coercion. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 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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