Compel

Quick meaning: Compel is a verb meaning (transitive, archaic, literally) To drive together, round up.

Meaning

(transitive, archaic, literally) To drive together, round up.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To overpower; to subdue.
2. (transitive) To force, constrain, or coerce.
3. (transitive) To forcefully or powerfully motivate (a course of action).
4. (transitive) To have a strong, irresistible force (on someone or something).
5. (transitive) To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
6. (obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
7. (obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.

Example Sentences

Congratulations, your courage compels respect.

Logic compels the wise, while fools feel compelled by emotions.

Wolsey […] compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.

The shepherds compelled the stray sheep into the fold as night began to fall.

Word Forms

• compels
• compelling
• compelled

Synonyms for compel

Depending on context, synonyms include command, oblige, require, obligate.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include oblige, require, command, obligate, enforce, coerce.

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