noun
duress
doo-RESS/duˈres/
Threats, force, or pressure used to make people act against their will.
The frightened shopkeeper surrenders cash under duress from the armed robber.
Etymology
The pieces originally expressed “hardness,” which became harsh or severe treatment. From that sense, duress developed its meaning of coercion: pressure or threats that force someone to act.
In context
let's give it up for libraries and Librarians who are literally doing their job under duress and threat
More examples
- He says his confession was obtained under duress.
- The witness describes the duress used to secure her silence.
- You cannot call consent voluntary when duress is involved.
Similar words
- coercion
- Emphasizes the act of forcing compliance through pressure or threats.
- compulsion
- Can include internal urges, while duress involves external pressure.
- intimidation
- Emphasizes creating fear, without necessarily forcing a particular action.