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

Related Words

• duress 
• intimidation 
• persuasion