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.
When lens flares continually beam right at the screen, the whole movie feels like enlightenment under duress.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
They rise when Americans feel secure enough financially, and soften when families are under duress.
From MarketWatch ● May 16, 2026
Under duress, the trees would drop all their fruit on the ground prematurely.
From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026
There have been differing claims about whether the mercenaries in Evros are recruited willingly or under duress.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026
The third for setting fire to her Housemistress’s false-hair bun, which, under duress, Rahel confessed to having stolen.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
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.
