coercitive

Coercitive is an adjective meaning relating to or characterized by the use of coercion—pressures, threats, or force—to compel behavior. In contemporary English, coercive is the standard form, and coercitive is a less common variant spelling that appears in some older or more limited texts.

In law, policy, and political science, coercive concepts refer to actions aimed at securing compliance without full-scale force. Coercive measures may include sanctions, embargoes, or conditional restraints designed to influence outcomes. In international relations, coercive diplomacy describes the strategy of applying threats or limited force to influence another state’s decisions while avoiding broader conflict. In sociology and psychology, coercive strategies describe mechanisms intended to control behavior, which can raise ethical concerns and legal constraints, particularly when they involve manipulation, intimidation, or violations of rights.

Etymology and usage notes: coercitive derives from the Latin coercere, meaning to restrain, with the -ive suffix forming an adjective. The more common spelling today is coercive; coercitive is regarded as a variant and is encountered mainly in historical texts or specific contexts.

Related terms include coercion, coercive power, coercive diplomacy, and coercive control.