coercion

noun

kō-ˈər-zhən How to pronounce coercion (audio)
Definition of coercionnext
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another a promise obtained by coercion is never binding

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coercion Federal incentives attached to adoption fed the perception of coercion, even though the standards were developed outside the federal government and state adoption was voluntary. — Michael Casserly, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 However, coercion and the constant specter of war have also fed disillusionment and conflict fatigue. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity. — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Autonomy, in this light, is not simply the absence of coercion. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for coercion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercion
  1. pressure
  2. constraint
  3. compulsion
  4. intimidation
  5. violence
Noun
  • Professional racers on prototypes (and now production models) of the 805 RX are proving the bike’s ability to withstand competitive pressure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Which coach has been left under the most pressure by their club’s business?
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Importantly, this outlook not only incorporates the chip supply Broadcom expects to receive, but also physical infrastructure constraints such as land, power, and data center shells.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The product should solve a constraint that customers can quantify.
    — John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • The comedian has built her career by wringing laughs out of a compulsion to share her own worst thoughts about her body, life, and career through the lens of a glamorous cabaret diva.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The administration is right that trust matters more than compulsion alone.
    — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of compulsion
Noun
  • Jacobs was initially arrested on five criminal charges, including a felony count of strangulation and suffocation as well as battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim.
    — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ann Arbor, where El-Sayed lives, is home to a branch of the Free Palestine movement that has engaged in violent intimidation of Jewish Democrats.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • Younger adults, between the ages of 18 to 29, were more likely than others to say violence was sometimes OK, especially those with heavy social media use, according to the study.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The council was issuing a proclamation about gun violence prevention.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

coercing
coercion
coercions
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Cite this Entry

“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercion. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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