compelled

American

[kuhm-peld] / kəmˈpɛld /

adjective

secured or brought about by force.

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

verb

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In October 1905, after Russia had suffered a humiliating military defeat to Japan, Nicholas was compelled to sign a constitutional manifesto that overturned political life in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

But when our philosophy and approach aren’t understood or are flatly rejected, we feel compelled to go public with our activism.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

To your point, I think people feel compelled to make fundamental design moves like the blueness of this house.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

My bet is that Melania has been nursing a weird grudge about all this and simply felt compelled to say something.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

I didn’t want to do it; my strict nature as a troublemaker compelled me.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023