duress

[doo-res, dyoo-, door-is, dyoor-]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of duress¹

1275–1325; Middle English duresse < Middle French duresse, -esce, -ece < Latin dūritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equivalent to dūr ( us ) hard + -itia -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of duress¹

C14: from Old French duresse, from Latin dūritia hardness, from dūrus hard

Example Sentences

In August 2025, Hamas ally Islamic Jihad published a video showing Braslavski looking weak and thin as he spoke under duress.

Read more on Barron's

He had argued he was under duress when he was forced to throw the bodies into the pig enclosure.

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They contend it was obtained under duress following the revolution which toppled Colonel Gaddafi in 2011.

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The Jordanian ministry did not answer questions about Hammad, but legal experts say governments have little recourse to repatriate their citizens if they signed a contract, unless they can prove they did so under duress.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He added there was "no evidence of pressure or duress or threats" and Reyes was "fully aware from the start of what you were to be doing".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• coercion