coerce

[ koh-urs ]
/ koʊˈɜrs /

verb (used with object), co·erced, co·erc·ing.

to compel by force, intimidation, or authority, especially without regard for individual desire or volition: They coerced him into signing the document.
to bring about through the use of force or other forms of compulsion; exact: to coerce obedience.
to dominate or control, especially by exploiting fear, anxiety, etc.: The state is based on successfully coercing the individual.

Origin of coerce

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin coercēre to hold in, restrain, equivalent to co- co- + -ercēre, combining form of arcēre to keep in, keep away, akin to arca ark

OTHER WORDS FROM coerce

co·erc·er, noun co·er·ci·ble, adjective non·co·er·ci·ble, adjective un·co·erced, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH coerce

coerce compel constrain force oblige

Example sentences from the Web for coerced

British Dictionary definitions for coerced

coerce
/ (kəʊˈɜːs) /

verb

(tr) to compel or restrain by force or authority without regard to individual wishes or desires

Derived forms of coerce

coercer, noun coercible, adjective

Word Origin for coerce

C17: from Latin coercēre to confine, restrain, from co- together + arcēre to enclose