duress
Americannoun
-
compulsion by threat or force; coercion; constraint.
- Synonyms:
- pressure, intimidation
-
Law. such constraint or coercion as will render void a contract or other legal act entered or performed under its influence.
-
forcible restraint, especially imprisonment.
noun
-
compulsion by use of force or threat; constraint; coercion (often in the phrase under duress )
-
law the illegal exercise of coercion
-
confinement; imprisonment
Etymology
Origin of duress
1275–1325; Middle English duresse < Middle French duresse, -esce, -ece < Latin dūritia hardness, harshness, oppression, equivalent to dūr ( us ) hard + -itia -ice
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Haggis has its defenders, but it is not, for most Americans, a food you crave under emotional duress.
From Salon
It could say the deal was made under duress and is thus void, as some sympathizers have floated.
However, Masud has claimed the confession is false, was made under duress and should be ruled inadmissible before his trial in Washington DC later this year.
From BBC
Proving that your mother approved this transaction would require written authorization or a gift agreement, and proof that she understood the transaction and was not under duress.
From MarketWatch
My first experience was under duress in eighth grade from the deadlines.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
