1 coerce | Definition of coerce
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

coerce

verb
co·​erce | \ kō-ˈərs How to pronounce coerce (audio) \
coerced; coercing

Definition of coerce

transitive verb

1 : to compel to an act or choice was coerced into agreeing abusers who coerce their victims into silence
2 : to achieve by force or threat coerce compliance coerce obedience
3 : to restrain or dominate by force religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious— W. R. Inge
Other Words from coerce Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about coerce

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from coerce

coercible \ kō-​ˈər-​sə-​bəl How to pronounce coercible (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for coerce

force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield. force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress. forced to flee for their lives compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force. compelled to admit my mistake coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure. coerced into signing over the rights constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice. constrained by conscience oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty. felt obliged to go

Examples of coerce in a Sentence

A confession was coerced from the suspect by police. was coerced into signing the document

Recent Examples on the Web

 Most of my friends are either supportive or impressed, but there are a few who try to coerce me to drink. — Patia Braithwaite, SELF, "We Asked 5 People Why They Cut Back on Alcohol," 22 Aug. 2019 Mayorga's lawsuit, which was refiled in federal court, asks the court to invalidate the 2010 agreement on the grounds that Ronaldo and his legal team took advantage of her fragile emotional state to coerce her into signing it. — Emanuella Grinberg, CNN, "Cristiano Ronaldo admits paying $375,000 in 2010 to settle sexual assault claim," 19 Aug. 2019 The best workers were beaten as well, the whip and other assaults coercing them into doing even more work in even less time. — P.r. Lockhart, Vox, "How slavery became America’s first big business," 16 Aug. 2019 The charges stemmed from an encounter with two women who were jailed at the West Contra Costa Detention Facility at the time, and maintained that Morseman coerced them through threats of discipline. — Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, "East Bay ex-deputy avoids prison in plea deal over sex crimes with inmates," 15 Aug. 2019 That could include a circle of close associates whom accusers said helped recruit, train, and coerce them into catering to Epstein, a wealthy financier. — Benjamin Weiser, BostonGlobe.com, "Why the Jeffrey Epstein investigation is not over," 11 Aug. 2019 The photographs coerced the black poor into visibility as a condition of policing and charity, making those bound to appear suffer the burden of representation. — Longreads, "A Minor Figure," 20 July 2019 However, Freeland buckled down and coerced Francisco Mejia into a popout to first and Trevor Story made back-to-back solid plays in the infield to throw out runners and keep the Padres off the board. — Kevin Henry, The Denver Post, "Padres send Rockies to fourth straight loss," 9 Aug. 2019 Trump alone has imposed sanctions in hopes of coercing the Iranians into new talks. — Karl Vick, Time, "If Neither Trump Nor Iran Want War, What Do They Want Instead?," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coerce.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of coerce

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

History and Etymology for coerce

Middle English coarcen, coercen, borrowed from Anglo-French *cohercer, borrowed (with conjugation change) from Latin coercēre "to confine, shut up, restrict, restrain," from co- co- + arcēre "to hold in, prevent from approaching, keep away" — more at ark

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for coerce

coerce

verb
How to pronounce coerce (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of coerce

: to make (someone) do something by using force or threats
: to get (something) by using force or threats

See the full definition for coerce in the English Language Learners Dictionary

coerce

verb
co·​erce | \ kō-ˈərs How to pronounce coerce (audio) \
coerced; coercing

Kids Definition of coerce

: force entry 2 sense 1, compel He was coerced into giving up his lunch money.

coerce

transitive verb
co·​erce | \ kō-ˈərs How to pronounce coerce (audio) \
coerced; coercing

Legal Definition of coerce

: to subject (a person) to coercion — compare importune, solicit

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!