noun

coercion

koh-UR-zhuhn/kəʊˈɜːrʒn/

The use of force, threats, or pressure to make someone act.

The woman uses coercion, threatening another woman with a knife to obtain her wallet.

A frightened woman reluctantly hands over her wallet while another woman threatens her with a knife and holds out a demanding hand.

Etymology

coLatintogether

+ercLatinenclose, restrain

+ionLatinact or process

The roots convey enclosing or restraining, and the ending names the act. Coercion carries that idea of constraint into compelling someone to act through force, pressure, or threats.

In context

CongressmanRonPaul40:44

The solution can only come from rejecting the use of coercion, compulsion, government commands, and aggressive force to mold social and economic behavior.

Congressman Ron Paul's Farewell Speech to Congress

More examples

She signs the agreement freely, without coercion.
Threatening to expose his secret is a form of coercion.
The lawyer argues that police obtained the confession through coercion.

Forms

coercion

coerce verb — To force people to act against their will.

coercive adjective — Using force or threats to compel action.

Similar words

duress: Emphasizes the pressure experienced, especially when signing agreements or confessing.
intimidation: Uses fear to influence behavior without necessarily forcing action.