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Compel
To force or strongly persuade someone to do something.
verbđĄ
Imagine This
Rose is forcefully urging her female pal to go to a concert with her. She keeps on saying, 'Come, pal! You're my best pal, aren't you?' while dragging her along.
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Sounds Like
kÉm-PEL
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Looks Like
Come_pal (friend)
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Remember This
From Latin compellere, meaning to drive together; compellence is related to compelling; the noun form is compulsion.
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Other Forms
compelledadjective
compellingadjective
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Connect With
coerce, force, obligate, pressure, urge
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Note
Compel implies external pressure or obligation; do not confuse with 'impel,' which means to urge forward from within, or with 'persuade,' which implies convincing without force.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The deadline was enough to compel the team to finish the project on time.
- The evidence compelled the jury to convict.
Synonyms
forcecoerceobligatepressdrive
Antonyms
allowpermitdissuade
Etymology
From Latin compellere, com- 'together' + pellere 'to drive' (to push together).
Mnemonic
COM- (together) + PELL (to push) = compel: push together or force someone to act.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Coerce
verbTo compel or force someone to do something through threats, pressure, or coercion.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
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