nötigen
coerce
Definition & meaning
nötigen means to compel, coerce, or force someone to do something, usually against their will. It often appears with a person as the direct object and an action or outcome introduced by zu:
- jemanden zu einer Handlung nötigen — to compel someone to take an action
- jemanden zum Rücktritt nötigen — to force someone to resign
It can also mean to press or strongly urge someone, particularly in social situations, such as insisting that a guest eat or drink more. This use can be less severe than outright coercion.
Grammar & Word origin
nötigen is a regular, transitive verb: er nötigt, er nötigte, er hat genötigt. The person being compelled is usually in the accusative: jemanden nötigen. The action or result is commonly expressed with zu:
- Sie nötigten ihn zur Unterschrift. — They compelled him to sign.
The verb is historically related to Not (“need, distress, hardship”) and nötig (“necessary”). It conveys the idea of putting someone under pressure or constraint.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- zwingen — “to force”; usually more direct and forceful than nötigen.
- bedrängen — “to press or harass”; emphasizes sustained pressure rather than the act of compelling someone to a specific outcome.
- drängen — “to urge or press”; often milder and may describe persuasion rather than coercion.
- abnötigen — “to extract or obtain by pressure”; focuses on getting something from someone.
Antonyms and contrasts:
- freistellen — “to leave someone free to choose”; contrasts with imposing a choice or action.
- freiwillig handeln — “to act voluntarily”; describes acting without being compelled.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Er versucht, mich zu nötigen.verb
He is trying to coerce me.
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