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

Related Words

• coercion