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
As the second year of the war began, Ukrainian forces had been under duress, fighting against an invasion that had more resources, troops and weapons.
—
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Rights groups and international law experts say that a hostage video is, by definition, made under duress, and the statements in it are usually coerced.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
There’s a tough economic downturn in Germany and big film festivals (and film markets) are under duress everywhere, even where the times appear rosy.
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
During the Hamas' release ceremony Saturday, a beaming Omer Shem Tov — acting under duress — blew kisses to a crowd of Palestinians in Gaza, flashed a thumbs-up, and even kissed the two militants next to him on the head.
—Associated Press, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duress
Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Rights groups and international law experts say that a hostage video is, by definition, made under duress, and the statements in it are usually coerced.
—Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
There’s a tough economic downturn in Germany and big film festivals (and film markets) are under duress everywhere, even where the times appear rosy.
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
During the Hamas' release ceremony Saturday, a beaming Omer Shem Tov — acting under duress — blew kisses to a crowd of Palestinians in Gaza, flashed a thumbs-up, and even kissed the two militants next to him on the head.
—Associated Press, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duress
Noun
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There would be fan pressure for the young quarterback to play if Prescott struggled.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
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At a key hearing on March 6, 2023, Ricco says, Messiah broke down from the pressure and began crying.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Efficient Resource Allocation-by utilizing smart city technologies, the city can track and allocate resources effectively, optimize service delivery,and streamline government operations to meet these budget constraints.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
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Why Unified Decision-Making Is Critical The constraints of specialized cybersecurity teams underscore businesses' need to have a holistic view of cybersecurity signals and coordinate actions across their cybersecurity functions.—
Ambuj Kumar,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The organization encourages people to seek a mental health professional when a person’s obsessions and compulsions begin to affect their quality of life.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
11 Mar. 2025
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But at what cost? The compulsion to be right often blinds us to alternative perspectives, limits our creative problem-solving, and stifles growth.—
Glenn Llopis,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
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China’s revanchist claims and maritime coercion in the South China Sea are meant to show that big countries can simply grab the global commons.—
HAL BRANDS,
Foreign Affairs,
25 Feb. 2025
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Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives.—
Monica Duffy Toft,
The Conversation,
20 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to duress
Cite this Entry
“Duress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duress. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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