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.

Guthrie told Kotb in a segment of their “Today” interview that she feels compelled to return because she considers the people she works with as family.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The law that compelled the DOJ to release its files was co-sponsored by Massie and ultimately signed by US President Donald Trump late last year.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Even several European leaders, who had hoped to stay out of this war, felt compelled to send planes and warships, if just to defend their own interests and outposts.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

“I have a lot of love in my life, but I’ve never felt compelled to tie a piece of trash to a historic landmark,” Baum said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Why am I compelled to do as Mother says even when I have a desperate need to do something else?

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

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