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noun Uncommon

coercion

koh-UR-shuhn

Coercion (noun) means the use of force or threats to make someone act against their will. Example: “The confession was thrown out because it was obtained through coercion.”

noun
1
The use of force or threats to make someone act against their will.
"The confession was thrown out because it was obtained through coercion."
"Victims of coercion often feel they had no real choice."
2
In computing, the automatic conversion of a value from one data type to another.
"Type coercion can cause unexpected bugs if you compare a string to a number."

How to Use Coercion

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishForcing someone to do something through pressure, threats, or intimidation rather than free choice.

Common pairings
under coercion economic coercion coercion and control

Word Forms

coercions plural

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Test yourself on “coercion” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The confession was thrown out because it was obtained through _____.

Etymology

From Old French cohercion, from Latin coercitio, "restraint" — from the verb coercere, "to restrain" (see coerce).

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

noncoercion

Related Words

Rhymes for coercion

See all rhymes for coercion →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “coercion” mean?

The word “coercion” means the use of force or threats to make someone act against their will. In plain terms, forcing someone to do something through pressure, threats, or intimidation rather than free choice.

How do you pronounce “coercion”?

“Coercion” is pronounced koh-UR-shuhn (/koʊˈɝʒən/ in IPA).

How do you use “coercion” in a sentence?

Here is “coercion” used in a sentence: “The confession was thrown out because it was obtained through coercion.”

What is the opposite of “coercion”?

The opposite of “coercion” — its antonyms — is noncoercion.

What part of speech is “coercion”?

“Coercion” is a noun.

Where does the word “coercion” come from?

The word “coercion” comes from Latin. From Old French cohercion, from Latin coercitio, "restraint" — from the verb coercere, "to restrain" (see coerce).

Is “coercion” a common word?

“Coercion” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “coercion” have?

“Coercion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the use of force or threats to make someone act against their will.

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