compel
to force or drive, especially to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
to secure or bring about by force.
to force to submit; subdue.
to overpower.
Archaic. to drive together; unite by force; herd.
to use force.
to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.
Origin of compel
1synonym study For compel
Other words for compel
Other words from compel
- com·pel·la·ble, adjective
- com·pel·la·bly, adverb
- com·pel·lent, adjective
- com·pel·ler, noun
- com·pel·ling·ly, adverb
- pre·com·pel, verb (used with object), pre·com·pelled, pre·com·pel·ling.
- un·com·pel·la·ble, adjective
Words that may be confused with compel
Words Nearby compel
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use compel in a sentence
Finally, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who had instructed his organization not to play the national anthem before home games at the start of the season, was compelled by the league office to reverse course.
The NBA’s week of controversies show how hard life is outside of the bubble | Ben Golliver | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThat compelled the Lions to ensure there was a trade agreement in place by then.
Lions agree to trade Matthew Stafford to Rams for Jared Goff, draft picks | Mark Maske | January 31, 2021 | Washington PostSo you end up with a system that everyone knows is flawed but feels compelled to use anyway.
Testing Whether Fast Kids Make Future Champions | Alex Hutchinson | January 29, 2021 | Outside OnlineThere also was something that really compelled us about her withholding a memory from herself that was too chaotic for her admit to herself—and that finally flooding back to her in her final moments.
'Death is a Turning Point': Search Party's Creators Discuss Season 4 and the Shocking Finale Twist | Andrew R. Chow | January 28, 2021 | Time“The need to protect the honor of this body compelled me to proceed,” Bell said.
Virginia senator who called U.S. Capitol rioters ‘patriots’ is censured | Gregory S. Schneider | January 27, 2021 | Washington Post
It is “an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will” by spilling blood, and lots of it.
And the truth that language changes over time does not compel us to endorse any particular change.
Go Ahead, End With a Preposition: Grammar Rules We All Can Live With | Nick Romeo | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhich brings us to the images that compel our attention today.
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
Owen will have the power to compel the production of witnesses and documents from the British security and intelligence services.
Brits Investigate Assassination of the Spy Who Warned Us About Putin | Nico Hines | July 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey will try to compel you to confession; and, though you are blameless, you will suffer the cruelest ordeal of transgression.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterIf there had been a loss, something like that amount, then the courts would compel him to pay.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesB could compel him to do so, and the expense must be borne by A because his deed of warranty required him to give a clear title.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesOppressive laws compel me to pay a portion of my hard earnings to support them in their pride and indolence.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. AbbottA defective acknowledgment by a married woman is worthless, nor will any court compel her to make another one.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
British Dictionary definitions for compel
/ (kəmˈpɛl) /
to cause (someone) by force (to be or do something)
to obtain by force; exact: to compel obedience
to overpower or subdue
archaic to herd or drive together
Origin of compel
1Derived forms of compel
- compellable, adjective
- compellably, adverb
- compeller, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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