duress
noun/djuˈres/
/duˈres/
[uncountable] (formal)- threats or force that are used to make somebody do something
- He signed the confession under duress.
- The promise was obtained by duress on the part of her husband.
- They were operating at times under extreme duress.
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘harshness, severity, cruel treatment’): via Old French from Latin duritia, from durus ‘hard’.Want to learn more?
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