coercive
adjective
co·er·cive
kō-ˈər-siv 
: serving or intended to coerce
coercive power
coercive measures
coercively
adverb
coerciveness
noun
Examples of coercive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The difference between a genuinely pro-family agenda and a coercive one lies in the underlying assumptions and motivations.
—
Sonya Borrero, STAT, 1 May 2026
Too many students still view coercive tactics as legitimate.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
One reason adoption of coercive control consideration has been slow is that the concept can be unjustly applied to victims themselves.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Christopher Trybus, Baird's husband, was tried on charges of manslaughter, coercive control and rape in connection with her death, but was found not guilty of them all on Wednesday, April 22, nearly nine years after her death, according to the BBC and The Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
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.
Sonya Borrero, STAT, 1 May 2026
Too many students still view coercive tactics as legitimate.
—Jason Jewell, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
One reason adoption of coercive control consideration has been slow is that the concept can be unjustly applied to victims themselves.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Christopher Trybus, Baird's husband, was tried on charges of manslaughter, coercive control and rape in connection with her death, but was found not guilty of them all on Wednesday, April 22, nearly nine years after her death, according to the BBC and The Times.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coercive. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
coercive
adjective
co·er·cive
kō-ˈər-siv
1
: serving or intended to coerce
2
: resulting from coercion
to protect women from coercive intimacy—Kimberle Crenshaw
Kimberle CrenshawLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
