coerce
co·erce
vt \kō-ˈərs\co·ercedco·erc·ing
Definition of COERCE
1
: to restrain or dominate by force <religion in the past has tried to coerce the irreligious — W. R. Inge>
2
: to compel to an act or choice <was coerced into agreeing>
3
: to achieve by force or threat <coerce compliance>
— co·erc·ible\-ˈər-sə-bəl\ adjective
Examples of COERCE
- A confession was coerced from the suspect by police.
- <was coerced into signing the document>
Origin of COERCE
Middle English cohercen, from Anglo-French *cohercer Latin coercēre, from co- + arcēre to shut up, enclose — more at ark
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to COERCE
Related Words: browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow, hector, intimidate; blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, threaten; drag; badger, harass, hound
Near Antonyms: allow, let, permit; argue, convince, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over)
See Synonym Discussion at force
