coercion

American  

[koh-ur-shuhn] / koʊˈɜr ʃən /

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.

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coercion British  

/ kəʊˈɜːsɪv, kəʊˈɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act or power of coercing

2. government by force

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of coercion

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

To prove undue influence, coercion and the lack of testamentary capacity, you would need doctor’s reports and a paper trail of evidence to make your case.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Washington and its partners, they say, should use the window to build a comprehensive deterrence strategy that addresses nonmilitary coercion as effectively as it does conventional conflict.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

It was recently confirmed by the island's health minister that her department had responded to concerns raised by the UK Ministry of Justice over protections against coercion and capacity safeguards in the bill.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Again and again during the final debate, the word that passed the lips of opponents to the bill was "coercion".

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

The conversation that follows involves more creative coercion than outright job offer, and there are several deviations into the subjects of the ballet, modern fashion, and Japanese mythology.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• duress
• intimidation
• persuasion