YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

coercion

Noun

IPA /kəʊˈɜːʃn/

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Meaning in plain English

The use of threats or force to make a person do something they do not freely want to do.

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Pronunciation

coercion/kəʊˈɜːʃn/

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A person is free to choose
Threats force the person to agree

Coercion uses force or threats, so the person is not making a free choice.

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Examples in context

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She refused to sign the letter under coercion from her neighbours.
The training explained how coercion can undermine genuine agreement at work.

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She refused to sign the letter under ________ from her neighbours.

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coercion — The use of threats or force to make a person do something they do not freely want to do.

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The use of threats or force to make a person do something they do not freely want to do.

Compare: She refused to sign the letter under coercion from her neighbours.

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Word origin

Through Old French from Latin forms related to coercere, meaning restrain or control.

Did you know?

Under coercion means that someone's action results from force or threats rather than free choice.

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