Coercionista

Coercionista is a term used to describe a person who uses coercion to compel others to act or refrain from acting. Coercion encompasses threats, force, intimidation, or other forms of pressure that override an individual’s free will. The word combines coerce with the agent suffix -ista and derives from the Latin coercere, meaning to restrain or contain.

In practice, a coercionista can appear in several contexts, including interpersonal relationships (such as abuse or manipulation), workplace dynamics (bullying or abusive management), criminal activity (intimidation or extortion), and political or international settings (coercive diplomacy, sanctions, or threats). The common thread is the deliberate exertion of power to obtain compliance that the target would not voluntarily provide.

Related terms include coercer or intimidator for someone who uses coercion, and extortionist for someone who obtains money or property through threats. In political science and international relations, the notion of a coercive actor describes states or groups that employ coercive methods to influence others.

Legal and ethical considerations emphasize that coercion is generally illegal or illegitimate when used to harm or exploit others, particularly in domestic relations or contractual contexts. Some forms of coercive pressure, such as threats or violence, are prosecutable offenses in many jurisdictions, even if the target conforms under duress. In international law, coercive measures are contested and judged by principles of proportionality and legitimacy.

See also: coercion, coercive power, intimidation, extortion.