coercion

[ koh-ur-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of coercing; use of force or intimidation to obtain compliance.
2. force or the power to use force in gaining compliance, as by a government or police force.

coercion

/ kəʊˈɜːsɪv; kəʊˈɜːʃən /

noun

1. the act or power of coercing
2. government by force

Derived Forms

• coˈercively, adverb
• coˈerciveness, noun
• coˈercionist, noun
• coercive, adjective

Other Words From

• co·ercion·ar·y adjective
• co·ercion·ist noun
• nonco·ercion noun
• proco·ercion adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of coercion¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Medieval Latin coerciōn- stem of coerciō, shortened from coercitiō, from coercit(us) “restrained” (past participle of coercēre “to hold in, restrain”; coerce ) + -iō -ion; replacing late Middle English cohercion, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

“The vast majority of officers are corrupted as a result of conditioning, manipulation, coercion and blackmail, while being badly trained, poorly led and inadequately supervised,” he adds.

From BBC

Critics of her measure have raised fears of coercion and a slippery slope to wider legislation taking in more people.

From BBC

Speaking on Tuesday, Leadbeater rejected these claims, saying her bill had “three layers of scrutiny,” requiring sign-offs from two doctors and a High Court judge, and made coercion punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

From BBC

They would need to be satisfied that a patient's choice has been made without pressure or coercion.

From BBC

But the debate has raised questions about how terminally-ill people could be safeguarded and coercion avoided - with criticism of the proposal coming from both Labour and Conservative politicians.

From BBC

Related Words

• duress
• intimidation
• persuasion