Cocoercivity ($⟨Gz-Gw,z-w⟩\ge \beta \Vert Gz-Gw{\Vert }^2$)

An operator $G$ is $\beta$-cocoercive when $⟨Gz-Gw,z-w⟩\ge \beta \Vert Gz-Gw{\Vert }^2$ with $\beta >0$. This strengthens monotonicity and implies a Lipschitz constant $1/\beta$ by the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality. Gradient maps of smooth convex functions provide an important converse through the Baillon–Haddad theorem.

On the whole Euclidean space, an $L$-Lipschitz gradient of a convex function is $1/L$-cocoercive. Subtract the supporting affine function at one point, apply the descent lemma to a gradient step at the other point, then interchange the points and add. The conclusion needs convexity but no second derivative.