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

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.

Example Sentences

If you were on the grand jury, can you blink twice if you were under duress?

From Slate • May 2, 2026

Like any group that’s survived a civil war, those who left Cuba under duress and those who stayed are locked into a vicious cycle of spite that consumes our communities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

It’s a cat-and-mouse movie with some initiative, and even if that drive ultimately goes nowhere, the film at least manages to make its characters’ strength under duress believable.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Sanders said he still believed Calocane had shown "elements of control, of planning", seemed to be "exhibiting choices" and "did not seem to be under duress".

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

She could not conceive of Hester Sinclair’s having read anything other than Good Housekeeping save under strong duress.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee

Related Words

• coercion