Which term best describes actions that are conducted under pressure or threat?

The term that best describes actions conducted under pressure or threat is "duress." Duress refers to a situation where an individual is forced to act against their will through the use of threats, violence, or other forms of intimidation. In legal contexts, actions taken under duress are often considered invalid or coerced, as the individual did not have the freedom to act voluntarily.

Consistently, this concept is significant in understanding various legal principles, such as contract law, where a contract entered into under duress may be voidable. The presence of duress indicates that consent was not freely given, which is a critical component of the validity of contractual agreements.

While the other terms relate to similar themes of pressure and influence, they do not precisely capture the specific legal implications associated with actions taken under threat. Compliance usually implies voluntary agreement or adherence to rules, coercion may refer to a broader range of influences causing someone to act against their will, and manipulation implies a more subtle or deceptive influence than the overt threats characteristic of duress. Thus, duress is the most accurate term in this context.