duress

American  

[doo-res, dyoo-, door-is, dyoor-] / dʊˈrɛs, dyʊ-, ˈdʊər ɪs, ˈdyʊər- /

noun

1. compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.

   Synonyms:

   pressure, intimidation

2. Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.

3. forcible restraint, especially imprisonment.

---

duress British  

/ djʊə-, djʊˈrɛs /

noun

1. compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress )

2. law the illegal exercise of coercion

3. 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

Example Sentences

Since then, former group members have revised their statements, saying that their initial testimony was made under duress from the Martins, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

And when money changed hands, it was sometimes under duress as the victor in a war imposed a sale on the loser.

From The Wall Street Journal

In crisis talks Sunday, EU ambassadors also discussed using a never-before-deployed tool—often dubbed the bazooka—that allows them to fight back when under economic duress from another country.

From The Wall Street Journal

Several members have since parted ways with the group and revised their statements to police, saying that their original testimony was made under duress from the group’s leaders, according to Colton Police Sgt.

From Los Angeles Times

Constantly under duress from a pass rush that met little resistance from his offensive line, Iamaleava was his team’s leading passer and rusher despite being sacked 27 times.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coercion