Corrections Officer Entrance (CJBAT) Practice Exam

What is the meaning of the word 'coerce'?

1. Encourage freely

2. Force someone to act

3. Persuade gently

4. Motivate positively

The correct answer is: Force someone to act

The meaning of the word 'coerce' relates specifically to the act of compelling or forcing someone to act in a particular way, often through the use of threats or intimidation. This term carries a strong connotation that implies a lack of choice on the part of the individual being coerced, highlighting an element of pressure that can make the person feel they have no alternative but to comply with the demands placed upon them. In contrast, the other options center around actions that involve a degree of encouragement or motivation without the element of force. Encouragement and motivation suggest a voluntary action taken with a sense of agency. Therefore, while those terms imply support or persuasion, they do not capture the essence of 'coerce,' which fundamentally involves a more aggressive approach to obtaining compliance. Thus, the correct choice aligns directly with the core definition of 'coerce.'