n. the use of force, false imprisonment or threats (and possibly ...

early 14c., "harsh or severe treatment," from Old French duresse, from Latin duritia "hardness," from durus "hard" (see endure). For Old French -esse, compare fortress. S [..]

Duress occurs when pressure is applied to a person or an organisation.  Contracts agreed between two parties may be voidable if one party has entered into the agreement under duress.  In procurement t [..]

The use of force, false imprisonment, coercion, threats, or psychological pressure to compel someone to act contrary to his or her wishes or interests. If, for example, duress is used to make a person [..]

Definition Unlawful constraint or action exercised upon a person whereby the person is forced to perform an act against his or her will; a compulsion to do something because of a threat. A contract en [..]

The threats or acts compelling people to act or speak against their will.

[Anglo-French duresce, literally, hardness, harshness, from Old French, from Latin duritia, from durus hard] : wrongful and usually unlawful compulsion (as threats of physical violence) that induces . [..]

Force illegally used to compel someone to do something.    (Sayles, George O. The King's Parliament of England, 144)

is pressure that one person or entity puts on another person to do something that he or she would normally not do.

(n) compulsory force or threat

Refers to conduct that has the effect of compelling another person to do what he or she would not otherwise do. It is a recognized defense to any act, such as a crime, contractual breach or tort, all of which must be voluntary to create liability or responsibility.

Forcing someone to do something by psychological or emotional pressure; a defence to the enforcement of a contract. If, for example, a separation agreement was entered into under duress, that may be a ground to dispute or set aside that agreement.

Undue pressure placed on a person to force him or her to do something.

n. the use of force, false imprisonment or threats (and possibly psychological torture or "brainwashing") to compel someone to act contrary to his/her wishes or interests. If duress is used [..]

A legal defense available to a person who does something against their will under threat of harm.       

This is where someone is forced into a contract, for example by threats of violence.

Constraint by threat, or coercion. Any unlawful threat or coercion used. The threat must be of serious bodily harm or death and must be immediate and inescapable. The defendant must have become involv [..]

In english criminal law duress is a limited defence to criminal charges.