duress
Threat-induced submission
Duress is compulsion or constraint, especially when it involves threats, violence, or imprisonment.
When someone acts under duress, they do so because they have been forced or coerced, not of their own free will.
She signed the contract under duress.
In legal contexts, proving duress can invalidate agreements or serve as a defense against criminal charges, since the law recognizes that people cannot be held fully responsible for actions they were compelled to take.
Irresistible urge to act
- forceStrength or compulsion
- pressureForce upon contact
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
intimidation · arm-twisting · enforcement · imposition · involuntariness · unwillingness · obligation · demand
Protection against harm
- pleaFormal request or defense
- voidableCapable of being nullified
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
consent · will · testimony · waiver · signature · validity · unconscionability · nullification
compulsion
Irresistible urge to act
- forceStrength or compulsion
- pressureForce upon contact
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
coercion · intimidation · arm-twisting · enforcement · imposition · involuntariness · unwillingness · obligation · demand · requirement
defense
Protection against harm
- pleaFormal request or defense
- voidableCapable of being nullified
- contractEnforceable written agreement
confession · consent · will · testimony · waiver · signature · validity · unconscionability · nullification · invalidation
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
- extortionObtaining through threats
- menaceSource of potential harm
threat · ultimatum · warning · ransom · hostage · kidnapping · leverage · endangerment · harm · violence
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- strainExcessive stretching force
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
anguish · anxiety · trauma · agony · torment · ordeal · extremity · adversity · tribulation · affliction
- negotiationbargaining, bargain, negotiate, mediation, compromise
- hardshiphardship, adversity, difficulty, trouble, struggle
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- sufferingagony, anguish, misery, pain, torment
- pressurespeer pressure, stress, tension, strain, burden
- contractsbinding contracts, contract length, lease, clause, contract terms
duressfree will
Autonomous choice capacity
freedom · liberty · autonomy · volition · self-determination
duresswillingness
Openness to act
eagerness · enthusiasm · voluntary participation · agreement · acquiescence
duressconsent
Voluntary agreement given
voluntary agreement · persuasion · suasion · convincing · reason
- signed under duress
- duress codeCode indicating coercion