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

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.

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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".

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Referred to as Mas'ud by prosecutors, he said he repeated what he had learned to a Libyan official, under duress, after the men threatened his family.

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Under duress, the father reluctantly retrieved the ball from his son and handed it over, much to the shock and dismay of onlookers.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• coercion