Synonym Chooser

How is the word coerce different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of coerce are compel, constrain, force, and oblige. While all these words mean "to make someone or something yield," coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

When would compel be a good substitute for coerce?

The meanings of compel and coerce largely overlap; however, compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

When is it sensible to use constrain instead of coerce?

The words constrain and coerce can be used in similar contexts, but constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

In what contexts can force take the place of coerce?

While in some cases nearly identical to coerce, force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

When might oblige be a better fit than coerce?

While the synonyms oblige and coerce are close in meaning, oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coerce She was sentenced in federal court in Boston to four years in prison for charges of coercing people to engage in prostitution and money laundering conspiracy. Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2025 Experts say this is a potentially serious counterintelligence problem that could allow foreign intelligence services to gain insight into a target’s social network or even identify individuals who could be paid or coerced to act against them. Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025 It is now believed that Grimm was coerced to make a confession and plead guilty, and that evidence was withheld to support his plea, according to court records. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025 While the deal may have saved business for the firm, it was seen as a betrayal of the independence of law firms and a potential road map to coerce other firms to make concessions. arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coerce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coerce
Verb
  • Cabinet members and other White House officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, claimed Monday morning that the ruling had actually been in the administration's favor and did not compel them to bring back Abrego Garcia.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • In response to the AFT’s request for a temporary restraining order to compel the department to resume IDR application processing, the Department of Education filed papers in court last week indicating that processing for ICR, IBR, and PAYE applications would be resuming in the coming weeks.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, no amount of care or good intentions can prevent the sudden demolition of the brothers’ home, courtesy of a vague order from the IDF — for which the family is even forced to pay.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Kosminsky’s latest intervention comes as UK Parliament’s Culture, Media & Sport Committee recommended that, if the industry can’t design its own scheme, the government should force the likes of Netflix to pay a 5% revenue levy into a cultural fund that supports local high-end TV production.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • You are not obligated to have a conversation with the police.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The district is not obligated to use the full amount.
    Phil Rockrohr, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Gentry implied that the growth sprang largely from American unexpectedly adding flights, which the airport is contractually obliged to accommodate, The Ledger reported.
    Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coerce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coerce. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on coerce

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