WordLens

dragoon

1 of 2verb
/drəˈɡun/
Forms:dragoons,dragooning,dragooned,dragooned
1

to pressure someone into doing something through intimidation or threats

C2
  • The dictator dragooned the opposition into submission through fear and intimidation.
  • Unscrupulous employers sometimes attempt to dragoon workers into accepting unfavorable conditions.
  • The aggressive salesperson tried to dragoon customers into making a purchase by using high-pressure tactics.
  • The corrupt police officer dragooned the informant into silence by leveraging their vulnerabilities.
  • In certain oppressive regimes, authorities may dragoon journalists into self-censorship to control the narrative.
Synonyms:
2

to subjugate or persecute a population or group by employing military force

transitive
  • The colonial power dragooned the indigenous population, forcing them into labor camps.
  • Throughout history, oppressive regimes have dragooned minority communities.
  • The invading army dragooned the villagers, pillaging their homes and subjecting them to brutal treatment.
  • The government's attempt to dragoon protesters was met with fierce resistance.
  • Under martial law, the military was authorized to dragoon civilians suspected of opposing the regime.