Coerceable describes a person, group, or entity that is susceptible to being persuaded or forced into doing something they wouldn't otherwise do, typically through the use of pressure, threats, or intimidation. It implies a vulnerability to coercion due to factors like fear, weakness, dependency, or a lack of agency. The degree to which someone is coerceable can vary, depending on the specific circumstances and individual characteristics. This also highlights the possibility to control a person to do things against their free will. This does not describe an involuntary reaction to a stimulus, but rather the result of a threat.
Coerceable meaning with examples
- The witness, fearing for their family's safety, was deemed easily coerceable by the defense. They were vulnerable due to the threats and their deep concern. The prosecution knew their testimony was not reliable as a result, which would make the whole case highly complex for the jury. This led the prosecution to work the best they could to protect the witness.
- Smaller nations, reliant on foreign aid, may be more coerceable by larger, wealthier countries seeking geopolitical influence. This is due to the economic power of the larger nations, and the pressure to secure their economies for future growth. They may be forced to take actions or policies that they would normally not adopt to appease the larger nation.
- The employees, facing potential job loss, found themselves coerceable by their employer's demands for unpaid overtime. They lacked the financial independence and bargaining power to challenge the unjust working conditions, creating a hostile workplace. This situation highlighted a power imbalance in the company for the workers.
- The protestors, though passionate, were considered coerceable through targeted police tactics and mass arrests, as the aim was to break the movement. These were aimed to scare the people into staying home. Tactics were used to frighten, intimidate, and create fear. These types of tactics also prevent any other people from joining.
- Under the dictator's regime, citizens were made coerceable through fear of surveillance and punishment. This impacted daily life, as the people could not speak out about their opinions or any wrongdoing by the government. Freedom of speech was severely limited. This system relied on the ability to suppress any dissent and the ability of the government to control everything.