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.

---

coerce British  

/ kəʊˈɜːs /

verb

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

---

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

But not since 1903, the year Theodore Roosevelt coerced Colombia to relinquish what became the Panama Canal, has a U.S. president forced a foreign government to give Washington significant land.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sure enough, the Taliban launched Chinese-made rockets at the base after dark, planted there, we were told, by farmers who had been either bribed or coerced into doing so.

From BBC

It said its doctrine was that giving must be "voluntary, in keeping with one's means and never coerced or demanded".

From BBC

It’s the exact opposite of what you truly want, but your husband has allowed his brother and sister-in-law to coerce and/or guilt-trip your husband into an unwelcome financial arrangement.

From MarketWatch

Al-Zubaidi had good reason to fear he would be imprisoned or at least coerced into capitulation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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