Phrase guide

argumentum ad baculum

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The use or threat of force to coerce acceptance of an argument.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: rhetoric

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: appeal to force

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from Latin argūmentum ad baculum (literally “argument to the cudgel”).

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 訴諸武力 /诉诸武力 (sùzhū wǔlì) — use or threat of force to coerce acceptance of an argument
  • Tagalog: katwirang umaantig sa lakas — use or threat of force to coerce acceptance of an argument