Legal Definitions - coerce

Coerce

To coerce someone means to compel them to act in a particular way against their will, typically through the use of force, threats, intimidation, or undue pressure.

• Example 1: A landlord repeatedly threatens a tenant with eviction, even though the tenant has paid rent on time, in an attempt to make them sign a new lease with significantly higher rent.

  Explanation: The landlord is attempting to coerce the tenant by using the threat of eviction to compel them into signing a new, unfavorable lease agreement against their true wishes.

• Example 2: During a heated argument, one person physically blocks the doorway, preventing another individual from leaving the room until they agree to a specific demand.

  Explanation: The act of physically blocking the doorway is a form of force used to coerce the individual into agreeing to the demand, restricting their freedom of movement until they comply.

• Example 3: A powerful executive tells a junior employee that if they report a company wrongdoing to the authorities, their career will be "ruined," effectively silencing them.

  Explanation: The executive is using a veiled threat of professional retaliation to coerce the employee into remaining silent and not reporting the wrongdoing, compelling them to act against their ethical judgment.