What does coerce mean?
Word: Coerce
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Coerce means to make someone do something they do not want to do by putting strong pressure on them.
Synonyms: pressure
Word origin: From Latin coercere.
How do you spell coerce?
Syllables: co - erce
Tricky part: The end is the trap. It sounds like the end of purse, so students write s where the word needs c.
Watch out for: coerse, coersce
Memory tip: Force someone and you coerce them: the two words finish the same way.
Coerce in a sentence
Example 1: Nobody should coerce a shy pupil into singing on stage.
Example 2: The shopkeeper tried to coerce us into buying a costly phone cover, but Mum politely said no.
Example 3: Good captains encourage their players; they do not coerce them.
Fun Fact
Add -ion and the word changes its sound: coerce ends with an s sound, but its noun coercion has the sh sound of mission.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
c_ _rce
a) oa
b) ue
c) ou
d) oe
Show answer
d) oe. Both vowels are sounded here, one after the other, which gives the word its two beats.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
Coerce goes back to the Latin verb coercere, which meant ___.
a) to call out
b) to hold back
c) to run after
d) to lift up
Show answer
b) to hold back. From holding someone back, the sense moved on to making someone act against their will.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with coerce?
a) nurse
b) rehearse
c) source
d) reverse
Show answer
c) source. Source has the vowel of door; reverse, nurse and rehearse share the vowel of fur.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
ercoec
a) to push somebody to act against their wishes
b) to thank somebody for their kind help
c) to calm somebody who has become upset
d) to show somebody the way to a place
Show answer
a) to push somebody to act against their wishes. These six letters make coerce, a word about pressure rather than free choice.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What would count as coercing someone?
a) inviting a friend to join the quiz team
b) lending a friend your notes for the test
c) asking a friend for her honest opinion
d) saying a friend cannot stay unless she agrees
Show answer
d) saying a friend cannot stay unless she agrees
2. A boy says he signed up for the chess club only because he was coerced. What does he mean?
a) he was not free to say no
b) he had wanted it for years
c) he had won a place on merit
d) he was thrilled to be chosen
Show answer
a) he was not free to say no
