duress
Americannoun
-
compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.
- Synonyms:
- pressure, intimidation
-
Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.
-
forcible restraint, especially imprisonment.
noun
-
compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress )
-
law the illegal exercise of coercion
-
confinement; imprisonment
Etymology
Origin of duress
1275–1325; Middle English duresse < Middle French duresse, -esce, -ece < Latin dūritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equivalent to dūr ( us ) hard + -itia -ice
Explanation
Let’s hope you’re never denied food and sleep and forced to sign a confession, but if you are, that's called being under duress. Threats and harsh treatment meant to make you do something you don’t want to do is duress. The word duress came into English through French, with origins in the Latin word duritia, which means “hardness.” First used to describe harsh or cruel treatment, duress soon took on the additional meaning of forcing someone to do something, usually through threats. Duress is typically used with the word under, as in a suspect who only signs a confession because he is under duress.
Vocabulary lists containing duress
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To Kill a Mockingbird
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Malau’ulu was under duress much of the night.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
In the lawsuit, Wynn-Williams alleges that after she was fired, she signed a severance agreement, which included a non-disparagement agreement and mandatory arbitration clauses, under duress.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
They rise when Americans feel secure enough financially, and soften when families are under duress.
From MarketWatch ● May 16, 2026
If you were on the grand jury, can you blink twice if you were under duress?
From Slate ● May 2, 2026
His voice sounded hollow and far away, like he was asking the question under great duress on behalf of someone who didn’t want to know the answer.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
