coerce
koh-URSverbMeaning to force someone to act by using threats or pressure
Memory hook co-ERCE: co-FORCE, not asking. Captain Rex points his finger and roars, “Scrub the deck, or no supper!” He doesn’t ask; he coerces the crew.
No one should be coerced into joining a club.
In context The pirate captain tried to coerce the townspeople into handing over their gold, threatening to block the harbor until they gave in.
Similar force, pressure, compel, bully
Opposite coax, persuade
From Latin coercere, “to hold in, restrain”: co- (together) + arcere (to shut in).