Erzwungen

Erzwungen is the past participle of the German verb erzwingen. It is used as an adjective or in verb phrases to indicate that something was obtained through coercion or pressure. In English, it is commonly translated as “forced,” “coerced,” or “obtained under duress.”

Origin and grammar: Erzwingen consists of the prefix er- added to zwingen (to force). As an attributive adjective it declines like other strong adjectives: eine erzwungene Entscheidung, der erzwungene Kompromiss, die erzwungenen Bedingungen. In the perfect tense it is used with haben: Sie hat die Zustimmung erzwungen. In passive constructions one can say: Die Zustimmung wurde erzwungen.

Usage and nuance: Erzwungen emphasizes that coercion or pressure produced the result. It often carries a negative or critical nuance, suggesting illegitimate or undesirable means. It is typically not used for voluntary outcomes. It is common in political, legal, or social contexts, z. B. Die Regierung erzwang Zugeständnisse, oder Geständnisse, die unter Zwang erzwungen wurden.

Translations and related terms: Erzwungen is closely related to zwingen (to force) and contrasts with durchsetzen (to push through, often in a legal or procedural sense) and erpressen (to extort). It also contrasts with freiwillig (voluntary) or zustimmend (agreeing willingly). Typical collocations include erzwungene Zustimmung, erzwungene Einigung, and erzwungene Entschuldigung, all indicating outcomes achieved through coercion rather than free consent.