The use of threats or coercion to compel a party to act contrary to their will is called what?

• A. Duress
• B. Coercion
• C. Threat
• D. Force

Answer: (A)

Duress describes using threats or improper pressure to override a person’s free will and force them to act against their own desires. In contract and insurance contexts, consent given under duress is not truly voluntary, so the affected party may have a right to avoid or rescind the agreement. The idea is that the pressure is unlawful or coercive enough to compel action the person would not otherwise take.

Coercion is a broader idea of pressure or intimidation, which might or might not reach the level of illegitimate pressure required for duress. A threat is simply the expression of harm or consequence, not the act of being compelled, and force implies physical compulsion rather than unlawful pressure. Thus, the term that best captures threats or coercion used to compel someone to act against their will is duress.