coerce

/kəʊˈɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · /kəʊˈɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · /kō-ˈərs/ (ame, mw)

coerce — verb

  • coercepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • coerceshe / she / it
  • coercedpast simple
  • coercing-ing form

1. to make someone do something by threatening them or putting strong pressure on t

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make someone do something by threatening them or putting strong pressure on them, so that they agree even though they do not want to.

例句

The bank manager was coerced into opening the safe at gunpoint.

passive: be coerced into + V-ing

Adina refused to coerce her younger brother into joining the family business.

coerce + person + into + V-ing

同義詞
  • force

    more general; covers physical force too, while 'coerce' emphasises pressure or threats producing reluctant agreement

  • compel

    formal near-synonym; 'compel' can include moral or legal obligation, while 'coerce' implies improper or hostile pressure

  • pressure

    informal; lighter than 'coerce' and often without an explicit threat

  • intimidate

    focuses on creating fear; does not always lead to a specific demanded action the way 'coerce' does

反義詞
  • persuade

    achieves the same result through reasoning or appeal, not threats

  • encourage

    supportive rather than pressuring

文法句型

coerce + object + into + V-ing

coerce + object + into + noun

be coerced into doing something

用法筆記

Frequently passive (be coerced into doing something). The pressure must be strong — threats, force, intimidation, or serious consequences — not mere persuasion. Subject is typically a person, group, or institution with power over the object.

常見錯誤

❌My friend coerced me to try the new restaurant.
✅My friend persuaded me to try the new restaurant.
💡'coerce' requires real pressure or threats; friendly persuasion is not coercion.
❌She was coerced to sign the paper.
✅She was coerced into signing the paper.
💡the standard pattern is 'coerce into + V-ing', not 'coerce to + infinitive'.