coercion

[koh-ur-shuh n]

See more synonyms for coercion on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of coercing; use of force or intimidation to obtain compliance.
force or the power to use force in gaining compliance, as by a government or police force.

Origin of coercion

1515–25; < Medieval Latin coerciōn- (stem of coerciō), Latin coerctiōn-, syncopated variant of coercitiōn-, equivalent to coercit(us) (past participle of coercēre to coerce) + -iōn- -ion; replacing late Middle English cohercion < Middle French < Latin as above

Related formsco·er·cion·ar·y, adjectiveco·er·cion·ist, nounnon·co·er·cion, nounpro·co·er·cion, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for coercion

Contemporary Examples

Many out athletes found their voices silenced by coercion contracts many of their home countries gave them.
‘To Russia With Love’: Can Johnny Weir Save Russia’s Gays?
Kevin Fallon
October 29, 2014
We are watching an invasion using subversion, coercion, and somewhat limited military action.
Is the U.S. Enabling Putin's Invasion?
Christopher Dickey
August 29, 2014
Where popular fervor ends, force begins and President Maduro has relied consistently on coercion.
Venezuela’s Agony: Weak President, Strong Generals, Riots and Cocaine
Marcel Ventura
April 14, 2014
These sexual relationships are consensual—and rarely deemed “rape”—but the large age differential is a type of coercion.
Can Boys Be ‘Coerced’ Into Sex?
Lizzie Crocker
March 28, 2014
There is no coercion or identification of the town, city, or state with a particular god, or indeed with any god.
Supreme Court Prayer Decision in Greece v. Galloway Should Be Easy
Eric Segall
November 4, 2013

Historical Examples

The policy of the opposition was coercion, while that of the government was autonomy.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
Coercion first annihilates the understanding of its victim, and then of him who adopts it.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford
"It was a bargain of coercion, Monsieur," she answered attempting to brazen it out.
The Trampling of the Lilies
Rafael Sabatini
I wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't bring in a coercion bill at any minute.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)
I told you the means of coercion in my power, and pledged myself to use them.
Roland Cashel
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for coercion

coercion

noun

the act or power of coercing
government by force

Derived Formscoercionist, nouncoercive (kəʊˈɜːsɪv), adjectivecoercively, adverbcoerciveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for coercion

n.

early 15c., from Old French cohercion (Modern French coercion), from Medieval Latin coercionem, from Latin coerctionem, earlier coercitionem, noun of action from past participle stem of coercere (see coerce).

coercion

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}coercion

Examples from the Web for coercion

Contemporary Examples

Many out athletes found their voices silenced by coercion contracts many of their home countries gave them.

We are watching an invasion using subversion, coercion, and somewhat limited military action.

Where popular fervor ends, force begins and President Maduro has relied consistently on coercion.

These sexual relationships are consensual—and rarely deemed “rape”—but the large age differential is a type of coercion.

There is no coercion or identification of the town, city, or state with a particular god, or indeed with any god.

Historical Examples

The policy of the opposition was coercion, while that of the government was autonomy.

Coercion first annihilates the understanding of its victim, and then of him who adopts it.

"It was a bargain of coercion, Monsieur," she answered attempting to brazen it out.

I wouldn't be surprised if he wouldn't bring in a coercion bill at any minute.

I told you the means of coercion in my power, and pledged myself to use them.

coercion

Word Origin and History for coercion

n.

Origin of coercion