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

Arcuri was compelled to hike his price target after meeting with members of management earlier this week.

From Barron's

Arcuri was compelled to hike his price target after meeting with members of management earlier this week.

From Barron's

But the fact that Pezeshkian felt compelled on Wednesday to order security forces to show restraint will be read as a sign the government is concerned the crisis is slipping out of control.

From Barron's

"Being compelled to think like that is useful because many of those questions are the questions that good historians should be asking themselves anyway."

From BBC

His showing was so impressive that LaFleur felt compelled to squash any chatter about benching Love, the quarterback the team signed to a $220 million contract, in favor of Willis.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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