compelled

American  

[kuhm-peld] / kəmˈpɛld /

adjective

1. secured or brought about by force.

   Statements made in a compelled interview may not be used in a criminal proceeding.

2. forced or driven to a particular course of action, often by an irresistible internal urge.

   I haven't felt so compelled to learn as much as I can about something since my fascination with Slavic folk music!

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of compel.

Other Word Forms

• uncompelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of compelled

compel ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Not everyone is compelled to spend the extra money on a monogram for their jammies, but the impulse comes from the early days of life.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

That was a theme I encountered in several of these interviews; clergy members felt compelled to pray for the federal agents it might have been easy for them to see as enemies or oppressors.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

In a post-coup period of emergency rule, Min Aung Hlaing served as both commander-in-chief of the armed forces and acting president, but to become permanent president he is constitutionally compelled to relinquish his military post.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

And when some companies do it, the others feel compelled to.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Or maybe you didn’t feel as compelled to have a career or follow your passions in Iran.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

• afraid
• averse
• evasive
• forced
• loath
• reluctant
• resistant
• unenthusiastic