as in persistent
formal
using force or threats to make someone do something; using coercion
coercive measures
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Recent Examples of coercive
Some analysts see the blockade as coercive leverage rather than a terminal escalation.
—
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Through a series of maneuvers, Rue manages to trade Laurie’s coercive employ for that of Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a strip club magnate who quickly puts her to work managing one of his establishments.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
State legislatures can define conversion therapy a bit more narrowly, for example, by prohibiting the physical and more coercive techniques that initially gave rise to these bans.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Gorsuch emphasized that Colorado—and other states—remain free to prohibit coercive or aversive practices and to regulate conduct that causes demonstrable harm.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Through a series of maneuvers, Rue manages to trade Laurie’s coercive employ for that of Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a strip club magnate who quickly puts her to work managing one of his establishments.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
State legislatures can define conversion therapy a bit more narrowly, for example, by prohibiting the physical and more coercive techniques that initially gave rise to these bans.
—Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Gorsuch emphasized that Colorado—and other states—remain free to prohibit coercive or aversive practices and to regulate conduct that causes demonstrable harm.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coercive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coercive
Adjective
-
The symptoms of leukemia can vary based on the type of disease, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, signs can include bone pain or tenderness, fever or chills, persistent fatigue and weakness, and easy bleeding and bruising.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Asian economies are proving resilient in the face of the energy shock sparked by the Iran war, though analysts warn of higher and persistent inflation.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At our Yale Higher Education Summit in January, 100 college and university presidents gathered to discuss the most pressing issues demanding their attention.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly a third of Americans, meanwhile, pointed to the high cost of living overall as their most pressing financial concern — suggesting affordability remains a top voting issue.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coercive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coercive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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