duress

[ doo-res, dyoo-, door-is, dyoor- ]

noun

1. compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.

   Synonyms: intimidation, pressure

2. Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.
3. forcible restraint, especially imprisonment.

duress

/ djʊə-; djʊˈrɛs /

noun

1. compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress )
2. law the illegal exercise of coercion
3. confinement; imprisonment

Word History and Origins

Origin of duress¹

1275–1325; Middle English duresse < Middle French duresse, -esce, -ece < Latin dūritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equivalent to dūr ( us ) hard + -itia -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of duress¹

C14: from Old French duresse, from Latin dūritia hardness, from dūrus hard

Example Sentences

In the video, in which he appears to be speaking under duress, the 21-year-old appealed to the US and Israeli governments to secure his release.

From BBC

He appeared to be speaking under duress as he criticised the Israeli government.

From BBC

His family and lawyers have always insisted that the evidence against him is almost entirely based on a confession given under severe duress.

From BBC

There are other remarkable innovations that Palestinians in Gaza have made under immense duress, with the threat of injury or death always looming.

From Salon

From the opening moments of Episode 4, the characters telegraphed duress through some phone calls.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coercion