coercion

Everyday

1. Making someone do something by using force or threats, so they have no real choice. tree →
2. (law) Pressure that is against the law, such as forcing someone to sign something or controlling someone by threats. tree →

In the lessons

In PSHE, safety and ethics lessons it is the opposite of free consent: no one should push you into doing something with threats or pressure, online or offline. In history and politics it describes rulers who used force instead of persuasion. It tells the reader a choice was not free. Phrases: «under coercion», «coercive control».

Examples

• He only signed the paper under coercion. tree →
• Bullying can include coercion, like "Do this or else". tree →
• A promise made under coercion is not a free promise. tree →
• The king ruled by coercion, not by kindness. tree →
• If someone online pressures you, it is coercion — tell a trusted adult. tree →
• Persuasion uses reasons; coercion uses threats. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: «coerce» (coerce, coerced, coercing). Say «koh-UR-shun». Trap: persuading with good reasons is not coercion; threatening or forcing is.