duress

/djuˈres/ (bre, ipa) · /duˈres/ (ame, ipa) · /du̇-ˈres also dyu̇-/ (ame, mw)

duress — noun

1. pressure or threats that make someone do something against their will, especiall

1.名詞C1
釋義

pressure or threats that make someone do something against their will, especially in a legal case.

例句

The judge ruled that Elena signed the contract under duress.

under duress: common legal phrase after sign

Under duress, Aylin agreed to marry him after her family threatened her.

sentence opener: Under duress, ...

同義詞
  • coercion

    a slightly more formal word for forcing someone, often by threats or pressure

  • compulsion

    pressure that leaves little choice; it can be broader and not always illegal

  • intimidation

    focuses on frightening someone; duress stresses the forced action that follows

反義詞
  • consent

    free agreement given without threats or pressure

  • willingness

    readiness to act by choice rather than because of force

文法句型

under duress

sign/confess/agree under duress

用法筆記

This word is most often used in legal or formal contexts to show that a person's choice was not truly free. It usually appears after under, especially with verbs such as sign, confess, agree, or pay.

常見錯誤

❌She signed the form in duress.
✅She signed the form under duress.
💡this noun is usually used after 'under', not 'in'.
❌I felt duress before the exam.
✅I felt stress before the exam.
💡duress means being forced by threats or severe pressure, not ordinary worry.