'Duress' definitions:

Definition of 'duress'

From: WordNet
noun
Compulsory force or threat; "confessed under duress"

Definition of 'Duress'

From: GCIDE
  • Duress \Du"ress\, n. [OF. duresse, du?, hardship, severity, L. duritia, durities, fr. durus hard. See Dure.]
  • 1. Hardship; constraint; pressure; imprisonment; restraint of liberty. [1913 Webster]
  • The agreements . . . made with the landlords during the time of slavery, are only the effect of duress and force. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Law) The state of compulsion or necessity in which a person is influenced, whether by the unlawful restrain of his liberty or by actual or threatened physical violence, to incur a civil liability or to commit an offense. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Duress'

From: GCIDE
  • Duress \Du*ress"\, v. t. To subject to duress. "The party duressed." --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'duress'

From: Moby Thesaurus