pressgangs
/ˈprɛsˌɡæŋz/
verb
- To force someone into service or into doing something against their will, often by deception or coercion.
- He felt pressganged into joining the committee by his boss.
- The company tried to pressgang employees into working overtime without pay.
- Volunteers were rare, so the organizers had to pressgang people from the crowd.
Antonyms
noun
- Groups of people historically employed to force men into military or naval service, often by kidnapping or coercion.
- In the 18th century, pressgangs were a dreaded sight in coastal towns.
- The novel describes how pressgangs would drag men from taverns to join the navy.
- Pressgangs roamed the ports looking for able-bodied men to serve on ships.