coercive

adjective

co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
: serving or intended to coerce
coercive power
coercive measures
coercively adverb
coerciveness noun

Examples of coercive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The coercive crowd policing of the past doesn’t work, and often makes tense situations worse. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jan. 2025 So while foreign powers can implement actions against member states of the European Union, the union itself would ultimately have the power to respond on Denmark's behalf, making any tariffs—especially those deemed coercive—effectively a declaration against the EU rather than just Denmark. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 But China has been honing its capacity to pursue this coercive campaign for well over a decade. Kyle Balzer, Foreign Affairs, 21 Nov. 2024 In recent years, Pierson has become convinced that a coercive interrogation technique common among U.S. law enforcement agencies can lead to wrongful convictions, and has championed new models of questioning. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coercive 

Word History

Etymology

coerce + -ive

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coercive was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near coercive

Cite this Entry

“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercive. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

coercive

adjective
co·​er·​cive kō-ˈər-siv How to pronounce coercive (audio)
1
: serving or intended to coerce
2
: resulting from coercion
to protect women from coercive intimacyKimberle Crenshaw
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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