coerce

American  

[koh-urs] / koʊˈɜrs /

verb (used with object)

coerced, coercing

1. to compel by force, intimidation, or authority, especially without regard for individual desire or volition.

   They coerced him into signing the document.

2. to bring about through the use of force or other forms of compulsion; exact.

   to coerce obedience.

3. to dominate or control, especially by exploiting fear, anxiety, etc..

   The state is based on successfully coercing the individual.

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coerce British  

/ kəʊˈɜːs /

verb

1. (tr) to compel or restrain by force or authority without regard to individual wishes or desires

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Other Word Forms

• coercer noun
• coercible adjective
• noncoercible adjective

Etymology

Origin of coerce

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin coercēre “to hold in, restrain,” equivalent to co- co- + -ercēre, combining form of arcēre “to keep in, keep away,” akin to arca ark

Example Sentences

Industry groups recommend that surrogates not receive public benefits to reduce the perception that they are financially needy and could be coerced into the transaction.

From The Wall Street Journal

Civilians are "being coerced from all sides", Mr Türk said in a statement on Tuesday, noting that armed rebel groups have issued their own threats asking people to boycott the polls.

From BBC

"None of our consultants coerced the clients," he adds.

From BBC

Or as Comer put it more directly in a statement: “Chief Pamela Smith coerced staff to report artificially low crime data and cultivated a culture of fear to achieve her agenda.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Whitehead concluded that the subpoena — compounded by Bondi’s news release — was aimed “not to investigate legal violations but to intimidate and coerce providers into abandoning lawful medical care.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• browbeat
• bully
• intimidate
• repress
• strong-arm
• suppress
• terrorize