coercion

USAGE SUMMARY

"coercion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means the act of forcing someone to do something they do not want to do, usually through physical or mental pressure. Example: The officer used coercion to make the suspect confess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A fair society is not only open and free, it is also one that rejects huge inequalities of income and wealth, opposes coercion of the powerless, and believes in the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of these tidyings are reasonable: presenting Boreman's harrowing account of appearing under coercion in a bestiality porn film called Dogarama to a mainstream audience would be, to say the least, challenging.

The Guardian - Film

Workers who face intimidation or coercion from union officials to take such action should seek assistance from the FWBC".

The Guardian

Seven out of nine witnesses on whose evidence he was convicted in 1991 have since changed or retracted their testimony, with some citing police coercion.

The Guardian

General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, appointed last year as Nato's deputy commander of forces in Europe, said the alliance needed to develop both fast-reacting conventional forces and capacities to counter Russian efforts at coercion and propaganda, as seen in Ukraine.

The Guardian

Homicide Sergeant Steve Murdock said on Saturday in a department statement that the men said Jones "used force and coercion to keep them there for the purpose of monetary gain".

The Guardian

Consent has to be a conscious, willing agreement, made without pressure or coercion.

The Guardian - Opinion

It worked against Serbia, the Taliban and Saddam The one true coercion that dictatorships understand is an army firing guns.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said: "If we are going to see the schools and the campuses used as a recruitment platform for this new police service then school children have the right to opt out of that, their parents have the right to opt out of that without any form of intimidation or pressure, or coercion being applied upon them".

The Guardian

Ron Merkel QC, acting for 50 of those on board, including eight children aged from two years old and 21 women, said it was "irresistible" and clear that the Australian government planned to "involuntarily and by coercion" send the 153 asylum seekers to Sri Lanka despite the fact the boat departed from Pondicherry in southern India.

The Guardian

"Secondly, the danger that Russia might believe that the large-scale conventional forces that she's shown she can generate at very short notice … could in future be used not just for intimidation and coercion, but potentially to seize Nato territory, after which the threat of escalation might be used to prevent re-establishment of territorial integrity".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical issues, use "coercion" to specifically denote the use of force or threats to compel action. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in sensitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "coercion" when you mean persuasion or influence. "Coercion" always implies a lack of free will due to force or threats, whereas persuasion involves convincing someone through reasoning or incentives.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "coercion" is as a noun, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action or process of coercing someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "coercion" is a noun referring to the act of compelling someone to do something against their will through force or threats. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical usage. It is very commonly used in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts, indicating its relevance in discussions about ethics, law, and power dynamics. When writing, remember that "coercion" is distinct from "persuasion", as it always involves the absence of free will. Understanding these nuances will ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compulsion

Emphasizes the internal or psychological pressure to act, rather than external force.

duress

Highlights the threat or hardship experienced by the person being forced.

intimidation

Focuses on creating fear or apprehension to influence someone's behavior.

blackmail

Involves threatening to reveal compromising information unless someone complies.

extortion

Specifically refers to obtaining something through force or threats, often involving money.

pressure

Suggests a less intense form of influence, implying persuasion rather than outright force.

compelling

Describes the act of persuading forcefully and convincingly.

forcing

A more direct and general term for making someone do something against their will.

undue influence

Often used in legal contexts, refers to unfairly swaying someone's decision.

strong-arming

An informal term for using aggressive tactics to persuade or force someone.

FAQs

How is "coercion" typically used in a sentence?

"Coercion" is a noun, so it often functions as the subject or object of a sentence. For example, "The confession was obtained through "coercion"" or "The suspect claimed "police coercion" during the interrogation."

What are some synonyms for "coercion" that I can use instead?

Depending on the specific context, you can use synonyms like "compulsion", "duress", "intimidation", or "pressure". Each of these words has slightly different nuances.

What is the difference between "coercion" and "persuasion"?

"Coercion" involves using force or threats to make someone do something against their will, while "persuasion" involves convincing someone through reasoning or incentives. The key difference is the presence or absence of free will.

Is "coercion" always considered illegal or unethical?

Yes, "coercion" is generally considered illegal or unethical because it violates an individual's autonomy and free will. It is often associated with criminal activities, abuse of power, and human rights violations.