as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
was coerced into signing the document
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Recent Examples of coercing
Guevara and two colleagues, then-detectives Michael Mason and Ernest Halvorson, then orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
However, this kind of rethinking of coverage is not about coercing people to accept worse care in exchange for money.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Guevara denied coercing that witness's testimony during the trial, and a judge later convicted Diaz.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Fraud rings frequently prey on vulnerable people — including immigrants and the unhoused — coercing them to intentionally cause or stage accidents in exchange for the promise of large payouts.
—Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The decision typically comes down to whether the government is coercing the public and specifics about who's involved and the intent.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This would likely mean seizing more resources inside Yemen—for example, by capturing the oil-rich governorate of Marib east of Sanaa—or by coercing Saudi Arabia into offering new financial concessions.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
There were more damning allegations made by Burrowes against Diddy, which included Combs coercing Burrowes to make changes in Biggie’s record deal with Bad Boy to make the terms more lucrative and favorable for the label.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2025
Moscow has previously denied coercing foreigners to enlist.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026
However, this kind of rethinking of coverage is not about coercing people to accept worse care in exchange for money.
—Jared Rhoads, STAT, 10 Feb. 2026
Guevara denied coercing that witness's testimony during the trial, and a judge later convicted Diaz.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Fraud rings frequently prey on vulnerable people — including immigrants and the unhoused — coercing them to intentionally cause or stage accidents in exchange for the promise of large payouts.
—Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The decision typically comes down to whether the government is coercing the public and specifics about who's involved and the intent.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This would likely mean seizing more resources inside Yemen—for example, by capturing the oil-rich governorate of Marib east of Sanaa—or by coercing Saudi Arabia into offering new financial concessions.
—April Longley Alley, Foreign Affairs, 18 Dec. 2025
There were more damning allegations made by Burrowes against Diddy, which included Combs coercing Burrowes to make changes in Biggie’s record deal with Bad Boy to make the terms more lucrative and favorable for the label.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Dec. 2025
Moscow has previously denied coercing foreigners to enlist.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercing
Verb
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In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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In 2022, gilt markets were shaken when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a swathe of unfunded tax cuts — forcing an intervention from the Bank of England and leading to Truss’ resignation after just 44 days into the job.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
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In season four, Mike’s (Renner) control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The unions argue that carrying out permanent layoffs during a funding lapse violates the Antideficiency Act, which bars agencies from obligating funds without congressional authorization, and exceeds executive authority under the Administrative Procedure Act.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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This document, signed by a sponsor, is a legally enforceable contract obligating the sponsor to support the immigrant and prevent them from relying on public aid.—
Daniel Shoer Roth,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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After obliging, the rapper started to riff by adding some new insults.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coercing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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