duress
compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.
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.
Origin of duress
1Other words for duress
| 1 | intimidation, pressure, bullying, browbeating |
Words Nearby duress
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use duress in a sentence
Yet opponents argue it would increase unemployment because higher wages would force small businesses, already under economic duress because of the pandemic, to lay off employees.
They subsisted on ammonia instead of water and could employ limited telepathic abilities under duress.
If you quit under duress, that’s one thing, but it sounds like you worked together and you repeatedly said no.
Outing a Celeb Sex Pest and Mourning Larry Flynt … Sorta | Eugene Robinson | February 11, 2021 | OzyWith the health-care system under increasing duress and deaths surging, some say it was too little too late.
As deaths surge, Sweden reverses its light touch approach to contain rising infections | Katherine Dunn | January 13, 2021 | FortuneWhile the courts admit wills made under certain kinds of duress, they also recognize more whimsical estate planning if the wording is unambiguous.
There were reports that she wanted to leave the show, and was acting under duress.
In moments of duress, a different self manifests with acts of destruction: unleashed id in Freudian, or Incredible Hulk, terms.
“Yes, he appears calm and collected but he is clearly stressed and doing this under duress,” the source says.
An ISIS Hostage Taken With Beheaded James Foley Spouts ISIS Propaganda | Jamie Dettmer | September 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUnder “fear, threats, and duress,” Egan says he signed the form, “a false declaration denying any childhood sexual abuse” by Doe.
New Hollywood Sex Scandal: Bryan Singer’s Accuser Files Another Suit | Tim Teeman | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“I wrote it under duress and hated the ending,” he said last week.
Return of the Bunny Boiler: Fatal Attraction’s World Stage Premiere | Nico Hines | March 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCharles the Ninth and Catharine had consented to publish a declaration denying Cond's allegation that they were held in duress.
History of the Rise of the Huguenots | Henry BairdShe was brought to me, and put in duress under charge of the division surgeon until her companion could be secured.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Complete | General Philip Henry SheridanOften they treated agreements entered into with the Order as contracts signed under duress.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States | Selig PerlmanSo Sir Percival performed that adventure of setting free the duress of the castle of Beaurepaire.
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table | Howard PyleNo one who has any regard for freedom of elections can look upon these governments, forced upon them in duress, with any favor.
Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama | Walter L. Fleming
British Dictionary definitions for duress
/ (djʊˈrɛs, djʊə-) /
compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress)
law the illegal exercise of coercion
confinement; imprisonment
Origin of duress
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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