coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən 
-shən
: the act, process, or power of coercing
They used coercion to obtain the confession.
Examples of coercion in a Sentence
a promise obtained by coercion is never binding
Recent Examples on the Web
The group used intimidation, coercion, corruption, and violence.
—
Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
Faced with abuse, threats and coercion, the Lhotshampa fled.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Though controversial for its broad language, the law has been increasingly used in modern cases involving trafficking and coercion.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Legal analyst Paul Mauro, who correctly predicted this split verdict, emphasized that the prosecution had to prove coercion.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
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Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
Faced with abuse, threats and coercion, the Lhotshampa fled.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
Though controversial for its broad language, the law has been increasingly used in modern cases involving trafficking and coercion.
—Amanda Castro
joshua Rhett Miller
hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Legal analyst Paul Mauro, who correctly predicted this split verdict, emphasized that the prosecution had to prove coercion.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coercion
Cite this Entry
“Coercion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercion. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
coercion
noun
co·er·cion
kō-ˈər-zhən, -shən
: the use of express or implied threats of violence or reprisal (as discharge from employment) or other intimidating behavior that puts a person in immediate fear of the consequences in order to compel that person to act against his or her will
also
: the defense that one acted under coercion see also defense, duress compare undue influence
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