Coerce
/koʊˈɜrs/
verbC1
Definition
Coerce means to make someone do something they do not want to do by using force, threats, or pressure. It is not a friendly or free choice but is done because the person feels they have no other option. This word is often used in serious or formal situations.
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⚡ See It in Action
To force someone to do something by threats or pressure
- •The bully tried to coerce the smaller kids into giving him their lunch money.
- •They were coerced into signing the contract without reading it.
- •The government was accused of coercing people to vote a certain way.
To make someone act by using unfair power or control
- •The company was found guilty of coercing employees to work overtime without pay.
- •She felt coerced into agreeing because of the strong pressure from her friends.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "coerce" like "make," but with a strong, unfair push that does not respect the other person's wishes.
- ✓Picture someone holding a sign that says "Do this or else," showing pressure or threat.
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to say no but feel scared or forced to say yes.
- ✓Sounds like "co-ERCE" → imagine a coach (co-) forcing (ERCE sounds like "urge") a player to do something they don’t want.
- ✓In stories, villains often coerce heroes to give up secrets or do bad things.
- ✓NOT like "ask" (friendly request), coerce uses pressure and threat.
- ✓NOT like "persuade" (convince by good reasons), coerce forces without respect.
- ✓NOT like "force" (general push), coerce often involves threats or unfair power.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Pressure: to try to make someone do something by urging or pushing (Use when the action is less strong or less unfair than coercion)
- •Compel: to make someone do something by strong necessity or force (Use when the cause is strong but not always unfair or threatening)
- •Intimidate: to frighten someone to make them do something (Use when fear is the main tool to coerce)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "co-" (together) + root "erce" from Latin "arcere" meaning to keep away or restrain
- •Etymology: From Latin "coercere," which means to restrain or control by force
- •Historical development: Originally meant to hold back or restrain, later grew to mean forcing someone to do something
- •Modern usage: Used to describe forcing someone through threats or unfair pressure, especially in legal, social, or political contexts
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How can you tell the difference between persuading someone and coercing them?
•Can coercion ever be justified, or is it always wrong? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The manager tried to coerce the employee ___ working late by threatening to fire him.
2.People feel unhappy when they are coerced because they lose their ___ to choose freely.
3.Coercion is different from persuasion because it uses ___ or pressure, not good reasons.
4.When someone is coerced, they often do what they want to avoid ___ or harm.
5.Laws exist to protect citizens from being coerced into ___ agreements.
6.The witness said the suspect coerced him ___ giving false information to the police.
7.Coerce is often used in serious situations where ___ or unfair power is involved.