Coerce

Pronunciation: /koʊˈɜːrs/

Definitions of coerce

verb to persuade someone to do something by using force or threats

Example Sentences

A1 The teacher tried to coerce the students into finishing their homework on time.

A2 She felt coerced into attending the party even though she didn't want to go.

B1 The company was accused of coercing employees to work overtime without proper compensation.

B2 The politician was caught on tape coercing voters to support his campaign.

C1 The dictator used fear and intimidation to coerce the citizens into following his orders.

C2 The criminal gang coerced businesses into paying them protection money to avoid violence.

Examples of coerce in a Sentence

formal The suspect was accused of attempting to coerce a witness into changing their testimony.

informal Don't let anyone coerce you into doing something you're not comfortable with.

slang I can't believe he tried to coerce her into going out with him.

figurative The strong winds seemed to coerce the trees into swaying back and forth.

Grammatical Forms of coerce

• past tense: coerced
• plural: coerces
• comparative: more coercive
• superlative: most coercive
• present tense: coerces
• future tense: will coerce
• perfect tense: has coerced
• continuous tense: is coercing
• singular: coerces
• positive degree: coercive
• infinitive: to coerce
• gerund: coercing
• participle: coercing

Origin and Evolution of coerce

First Known Use: 0015 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'coerce' originated from the Latin word 'coercere' which means to restrain or compel.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'coerce' has retained its meaning of compelling or restraining someone to do something against their will, but it has also taken on a broader sense of using force or authority to achieve a desired outcome.