coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən 
-shən
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.
Examples of coercion in a Sentence
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web
China’s revanchist claims and maritime coercion in the South China Sea are meant to show that big countries can simply grab the global commons.
—
Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.
—Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
Three other men charged with coercion — former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — were also acquitted.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
Three other former Spanish federation members accused of coercion — former women's team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men's team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — also were cleared of that charge.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
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Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.
—Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025
Three other men charged with coercion — former women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — were also acquitted.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025
Three other former Spanish federation members accused of coercion — former women's team coach Jorge Vilda, sports director of the men's team Albert Luque, and head of marketing Ruben Rivera — also were cleared of that charge.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən
: the use of express or implied threats of violence or reprisal (as discharge from employment) or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences in order to compel that person to act against his or her will
also
: the defense that one acted under coercion see also defense, duress compare undue influence
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