coercion

[koh-ur-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of coercing; use of force or intimidation to obtain compliance.

2. force or the power to use force in gaining compliance, as by a government or police force.

coercion

/ kəʊˈɜːsɪv, kəʊˈɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act or power of coercing

2. government by force

Other Word Forms

• coercionary adjective
• coercionist noun
• noncoercion noun
• procoercion adjective
• coercively adverb
• coerciveness noun
• coercive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coercion¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin coerciōn- stem of coerciō, shortened from coercitiō, from coercit(us) “restrained” (past participle of coercēre “to hold in, restrain”; coerce ) + -iō -ion; replacing late Middle English cohercion, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

This idealized view is also far more sympathetic than modern perceptions of other medieval events, including the Crusades, which are now linked with coercion and brutality.

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Beijing is systematically fostering an environment where “gray zone” activities such as economic coercion or political interference become the norm, lowering the threshold for direct conflict.

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“These actions are designed not only to intimidate neighbors but also to test allied resolve, normalize Chinese coercion, and fragment collective response,” the commission said in the report.

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“These actions are designed not only to intimidate neighbors but also to test allied resolve, normalize Chinese coercion, and fragment collective response,” the commission said in the report.

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Advocates for survivors called the distinction harmful, noting that Epstein’s decades-long pattern of coercion and trafficking involved minors who were legally incapable of consent, regardless of age.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• duress 
• intimidation 
• persuasion