coerce

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :

Etymology

From Latin coërceō (“to surround, encompass, restrain, control, curb”), from co- (“together”) + arceō (“to inclose, confine, keep off”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

hale, squeeze, pressure, force

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