as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
complied with the order only under duress
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Recent Examples of duress
Some of it has to do with the understated grace of Ninomiya’s performance as the Lost Man, whose gentleness of spirit, even under anxiety and duress, rang a distant bell.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hawks lost because of some bad possessions under duress and their inability to prevent Knicks star Jalen Brunson from making winning plays of his own.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In Chile in 1983, the finance minister’s refusal to socialize private foreign debt drew a cut-off in vital trade credit — oil tankers en route to Santiago turned around — until, under duress, the government relented.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
West Suburban Medical Center was one of two hospitals acquired by Resilience Healthcare in 2022, along with Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, which closed last year amid financial duress.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
The Hawks lost because of some bad possessions under duress and their inability to prevent Knicks star Jalen Brunson from making winning plays of his own.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 7 Apr. 2026
In Chile in 1983, the finance minister’s refusal to socialize private foreign debt drew a cut-off in vital trade credit — oil tankers en route to Santiago turned around — until, under duress, the government relented.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
West Suburban Medical Center was one of two hospitals acquired by Resilience Healthcare in 2022, along with Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, which closed last year amid financial duress.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
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But within Seattle’s defense — a unit built on balance, depth and consistent pressure — his role still mattered.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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In a sign of the pressure for Republicans to take advantage of the opportunity, multiple hopefuls running for governor in GOP primaries called for immediate redraws.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some airlines and independent lounges sell day passes, but availability is often limited due to capacity constraints.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Law said the bill is lacking an education and outreach provision due largely to budget constraints.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Writing, on the other hand, is my lifeline—a compulsion, a joy, and sometimes agony.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Family photo For Strausman, like so many artists of all skill levels, creating became a compulsion of the spirit.—
Steve Hartman,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Samuel is too comfortable with his father’s assault rifle, pantomiming intimidation into the mirror like a 13-year-old Travis Bickle.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
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Jonathan Harms, 43, and Jolene Harms, 39, faced a long list of criminal charges related to stalking, witness intimidation and threats, court records show.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Seniors and distressed homeowners are targeted because the system gives them no buffer against coercion.—
Darlene Mealy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Some have branded it unsafe and unworkable, citing their concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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