Word
duress
US/ˈdʊɹɛs/
UK/djɔːɹˈɛs/
Definitions
01threats or pressure
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. threats, violence, or other pressure used to make you do something you do not want to do.
n. compulsion by threat or force; the use of illegal or unfair pressure to force someone to act against their will or better judgment.
“The witness claimed she only signed the statement because she was under duress.”
“The defendant argued that his confession was extracted under duress and should therefore be ruled inadmissible by the presiding judge.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'under duress'.
Pitfall
He signed the paper under the duress.
He signed the paper under duress.
The phrase 'under duress' is a fixed expression; do not use an article like 'the' or 'a' before the noun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to pressure someone
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Archaic
v. to force or pressure someone into doing something.
v. to subject someone to pressure or threats in order to elicit a specific action or decision.
“The manager was accused of trying to duress his employees into working extra hours.”
“Historical accounts suggest the monarch attempted to duress the clergy into endorsing the new decree, though his efforts ultimately failed.”
Teaching tip
The verb form is extremely rare in modern English; students should focus on the noun form in the phrase 'under duress'.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Finding herself suddenly in the role of a “caretaker under duress”, Hubbard decided to photograph her housebound mother and her environment.” “Khan might have been contractually obliged to keep recording with Rufus, despite her solo success, but 1979’s Masterjam doesn’t feel like an album made under duress.” Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Old French duresse, from Latin duritia (“hardness”), from durus (“hard”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/duress