Definition
When someone forces you to enter a contract or commit an act by threatening harm. It's a legal excuse for doing bad things, provided the threat was serious enough.
Example Usage
He claimed duress when accused of embezzlement, saying his boss threatened to fire him if he didn't comply.
Origin
From Old French and Latin 'durus,' meaning hard or harsh
Fun Fact
The threat doesn't have to be of death—economic threats like 'sign this or lose your job' can constitute duress in some jurisdictions.
Source: Contract law and criminal defenses
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “Duress” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator