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impel

[ im-pel ]
/ ɪmˈpɛl /
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See synonyms for: impel / impelled / impelling on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), im·pelled, im·pel·ling.
to drive or urge forward; press on; incite or constrain to action.
to drive or cause to move onward; propel; impart motion to.
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Origin of impel

1375–1425; late Middle English impellen<Latin impellere to strike against, set in motion (transitive), equivalent to im-im-1 + pellere to strike, move (something); akin to pulse1

synonym study for impel

1. See compel.

OTHER WORDS FROM impel

un·im·pelled, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impel

compel, impel (see synonym study at compel)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to impel

compel, induce, oblige, actuate, boost, constrain, drive, excite, foment, force, goad, influence, inspire, instigate, jog, lash, mobilize, motivate, move, poke

How to use impel in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for impel

impel
/ (ɪmˈpɛl) /
verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled (tr)
to urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
to push, drive, or force into motion

Derived forms of impel

impellent, noun, adjective

Word Origin for impel

C15: from Latin impellere to push against, drive forward, from im- (in) + pellere to drive, push, strike
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
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