coerce

What does “coerce” mean?

verb.to persuade an unwilling person to do something by using force or threats.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in contexts related to authority, manipulation, or ethical dilemmas. It emphasizes the use of intimidation or pressure to compel action, highlighting the moral implications of forcing someone against their will, which distinguishes it from similar words like "persuade," which lacks the connotation of forcefulness.

Common Confusions

Coerce implies the use of force or threats to compel action, while persuade usually suggests convincing someone through reasoning or appeal without intimidation.

Example Sentences

• He was coerced into signing the contract under threat.

• The mobsters tried to coerce the witness into changing his testimony.

Word Parts: How to Remember “coerce”

Break “coerce” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)