verb

dragoon

druh-GOON/drəˈɡun/

To force or pressure someone into doing something.

The older woman dragoons the reluctant younger woman into cleaning by thrusting a broom toward her.

An older woman pressures a reluctant younger woman into cleaning up, thrusting a broom toward her despite her visible refusal.

Etymology

French dragon named a cavalry soldier, probably after a gun that “breathed fire” like a dragon. The verb developed its coercive meaning from using these soldiers to persecute Protestants through threats and harassment.

More examples

We were dragooned into cleaning up after the festival.
She dragoons her brothers into helping her move.
Stop dragooning volunteers into jobs they never agreed to do.

Forms

dragoon · dragoons · dragooned · dragooning

Similar words

coerce: Emphasizes threats or force rather than persistent, unwanted recruitment.
compel: Can describe necessity or circumstances, not just someone's pressure.
pressure: Describes applying influence without necessarily getting someone to comply.