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   Com·pel

   /kəmˈpel/

   

   verb

   • 1. force or oblige (someone) to do something: "a sense of duty compelled Harry to answer her questions" Similar forcecoerce intopressurize intopressureimpeldrivepresspushurgeprevail ondragoon intobrowbeat intobully intobludgeon intointimidate intoterrorize intoobligerequireput under an obligationleave someone no option but tomakeinformal:bulldozerailroadsteamrollertwist someone's armstrong-armlean onput the screws onarchaic:constrainexactextortdemandinsist onenforceforcenecessitatearchaic:constrain
   • ▪ bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure: "they may compel a witness's attendance at court by issue of a summons"
   • ▪ drive forcibly: "by heav'n's high will compell'd from shore to shore"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin compellere, from com- ‘together’ + pellere ‘drive’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.dictionary.com › browse › compelCOMPEL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › compel

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   Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. Impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryCOMPEL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   COMPEL meaning: 1. to force someone to do something: 2. to produce a strong feeling or reaction: 3. to force…. Learn more.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compelCompel - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compel

   Definitions of compel. verb. force somebody to do something. “We compel all students to fill out this form”. synonyms: obligate, oblige. see more. verb. necessitate or exact. “the water shortage compels conservation”.

5. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCOMPEL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   6 days ago · compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship. Curiosity ...

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionaryCOMPEL definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary

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   Apr 16, 2024 · compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship. Curiosity ...

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › americancompel verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american

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   See compel in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Check pronunciation: compel. Definition of compel verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishCOMPEL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   verb. formal uk / kəmˈpel / us present participle compelling | past tense and past participle compelled. compel sb to do sth. Add to word list. to force someone to do something: [ often passive ] He felt compelled to resign from his job. (Definition of compel from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)