compel

[ kuhm-pel ]

/ kəmˈpɛl /

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See synonyms for: compel / compelled / compelling / compels on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), com·pelled, com·pel·ling.

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.

verb (used without object), com·pelled, com·pel·ling.

to use force.

to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.

OTHER WORDS FOR compel

1 constrain, oblige, coerce.

3 overpower, bend.

See synonyms for compel on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of compel

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English compellen, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin compellere “to crowd, force,” equivalent to com- com- + pellere “to push, drive”

synonym study for compel

3. Compel, impel agree in the idea of using physical or other force to cause something to be done. Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. Impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship. Curiosity impels me to ask.

OTHER WORDS FROM compel

com·pel·la·ble, adjectivecom·pel·la·bly, adverbcom·pel·lent, adjectivecom·pel·ler, noun

com·pel·ling·ly, adverbpre·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

1. coerce, compel , constrain, force, oblige2. compel , impel (see synonym study at the current entry)

Words nearby compel

compatible, compatriot, Compazine, compd., compeer, compel, compellation, compelled, compelling, compendious, compendium

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 Post
That 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 Post
So 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 Online
There 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.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Which brings us to the images that compel our attention today.
When a Picture Is Too Powerful|Jeff Greenfield|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
U.S. Air Force: Swear to God—or Get Out|Dave Majumdar|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
They 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 Porter
If 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 Bolles
B 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 Bolles
Oppressive 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. Abbott
A 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

compel

/ (kəmˈpɛl) /

verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled (tr)

to cause (someone) by force (to be or do something)

to obtain by force; exactto compel obedience

to overpower or subdue

archaic to herd or drive together

Derived forms of compel

compellable, adjectivecompellably, adverbcompeller, noun

Word Origin for compel

C14: from Latin compellere to drive together, from com- together + pellere to drive

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

compel

OTHER WORDS FOR compel

Origin of compel

synonym study for compel

OTHER WORDS FROM compel

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compel

Words nearby compel

Words related to compel

How to use compel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for compel

Derived forms of compel

Word Origin for compel