compel

verb

com·​pel kəm-ˈpel How to pronounce compel (audio)
compelled; compelling
Synonyms of compelnext

transitive verb

1
: to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
Hunger compelled him to eat.
The general was compelled to surrender.
2
: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
Public opinion compelled her to sign the bill.
3
archaic : to drive together
compellable
kəm-ˈpe-lə-bəl How to pronounce compel (audio)
adjective

Did you know?

The prefix com- acts as a strengthener in this word; thus, to compel is to drive powerfully, or force. So you may feel compelled to speak to a friend about his drinking, or compelled to reveal a secret in order to prevent something from happening. A compulsion is usually a powerful inner urge; a compulsive shopper or a compulsive gambler usually can't hold onto money for long. You might not want to do something unless there's a compelling reason; however, a compelling film is simply one that seems serious and important.

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for compel

force, compel, coerce, constrain, oblige mean to make someone or something yield.

force is the general term and implies the overcoming of resistance by the exertion of strength, power, or duress.

forced to flee for their lives

compel typically suggests overcoming of resistance or unwillingness by an irresistible force.

compelled to admit my mistake

coerce suggests overcoming resistance or unwillingness by actual or threatened violence or pressure.

coerced into signing over the rights

constrain suggests the effect of a force or circumstance that limits freedom of action or choice.

constrained by conscience

oblige implies the constraint of necessity, law, or duty.

felt obliged to go

Examples of compel in a Sentence

Illness compelled him to stay in bed. We took steps to compel their cooperation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Israeli government insists that military force compelled those concessions—a claim Spencer echoes. —John Spencer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024 Rebecca Bakker, a registered nursing professor who lives near Grand Rapids, Michigan, had already decided against voting for Trump but has not felt compelled yet towards Harris or any third-party candidates. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 This dynamic opposition could very well ignite simmering tensions, compelling us to face underlying power dynamics, perhaps with raw honesty and determination. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Eastwood directs with a confidence that the emotions of the piece — adapted from stories written by a boxing trainer who wrote under the name F.X. Toole — will be enough to compel viewers to stay with the film even as the possibility of a happy ending drifts out of view. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compel 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compeller "to coerce, force, constrain," borrowed from Anglo-French compeller, borrowed from Latin compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)," from com- com- + pellere "to beat against, push, strike, rouse, impel" — more at pulse entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compel was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near compel

compeer

compel

compellable witness

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Compel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compel. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

compel

verb
com·​pel kəm-ˈpel How to pronounce compel (audio)
compelled; compelling
1
: to cause to do something by the use of physical, moral, or mental pressure : force
illness compelled him to stay in bed
2
: exact entry 1, extort
compel obedience
compeller noun
compellingly
-ˈpel-iŋ-lē
adverb

Legal Definition

compel

transitive verb
com·​pel kəm-ˈpel How to pronounce compel (audio)
compelled; compelling
: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure and especially by authority or law
cannot compel the defendant to testify
the result…is compelled by, the original understanding of the fourteenth amendment's equal protection clause—R. H. Bork

More from Merriam-Webster on compel

Nglish: Translation of compel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of compel for Arabic Speakers

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