This contract was signed under duress and is therefore null and void.
Source: tatoeba (8969126)
Duress
/duˈɹɛs/
Synonyms for "duress" (134 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (27)
Noun(6 words)
Preposition(1 words)
by force
Verb(1 words)
coerce into agreement
Adjective(2 words)
coercive enforcementscoercive pressure
Adverb(1 words)
coercively pressure students
Strong matches (40)
compulsorinessconfinementconstraintdetentiondintdrivedurancedurance vileeffecteffectivenesseffectualityenergyflower powerforceforce majeureforcefulnessfull blastfull forcegriphigh pressure
Show 14 more words
house arrestimmurationimmurementimprisonmentincarcerationinfluenceinternmentintimidationjailingmain forcemain strengthmanamandatednessmandatoriness
Noun(5 words)
Verb(1 words)
force a decision
Related words (67)
mightmight and mainmightinessmoxiemuscle powernecessarinessnecessitationnecessitudenecessityobligationobligatorinessobligementpizzazzpooppotencepotencypotentialitypowerpower packpower structure
Show 39 more words
power strugglepowerfulnessprepotencypressureproductivenessproductivitypuissancepullpunchpushrestraintsinewsteamstrengthstrong armstrong-arm tacticssuperioritysuperpowerterm of imprisonmentthe big stickthe bludgeonthe clubthe jackbootthe mailed fistthe strong armthe swordthreatthroughoutvalidityvehemencevigorvimviolencevirilityvirtuevirulencevitalitywattageweight
Noun(4 words)
Adjective(3 words)
psychological pressurestate coercionthreatening pressure
Preposition(1 words)
under compulsion
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: act of forcing, amperage, argumentum baculinum, armipotence, authority.
- Sentence evidence is available for duress, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "duress".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "duress"
Keep "duress" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "duress" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "duress", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "duress" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
5 entriesMore specific
4 entriescontractual duresscriminal duresseconomic duressphysical duress
Collocations
6 entriescontractual duresscriminal duressduress defenseeconomic duressphysical duressunder duress
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
1 entriesSample sentences
10 total sentences available.
Yanni's personality changed because he was under such duress.
Source: tatoeba (9768593)
Our young women and men living under duress, those who do nothing but seek to lean on the shoulder of who does not have one, in the arms of companions whose property would have been granted by shameful procedures, baited as they were by futile charms and chimeras, all these must take their courage in both hands to seek a way out in order to come out of the deep darkness, by them themselves, whether they are men or women.
Source: tatoeba (9832149)
A kiss under duress tastes bitter.
Source: tatoeba (10670954)
Showing 4 of 10 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "duress"?
Closest matches include act of forcing, amperage, argumentum baculinum, armipotence, authority.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "duress"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.