WordGarden.iocompel
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmpˈɛl/
US
- /kəmˈpɛl/
Meanings
Verb
to force or strongly require someone to do something
to legally require someone to act or provide something
to strongly attract or hold attention or interest
Beyond the definition
To compel someone means to put such strong pressure or influence on them that they feel they have no choice but to act. While it often implies acting against one's will, it isn't always about physical force. A powerful argument might compel you to change your mind, or a strict set of rules might compel a student to behave. It suggests pressure that feels impossible to resist—emotional, logical, or legal. Think of it as being pushed toward an action you wouldn't naturally take. Sometimes, compelling circumstances—like a sudden emergency—push a hard decision on us.
The word carries a sense of authority, or that something must happen. A judge might compel a witness to testify in court, and a deep-seated moral belief can compel someone to act heroically. You don't just ask someone to do something when you compel them; you demand it by the sheer force of reason, power, or need.
The word "compel" means to drive or force someone to do something, often regardless of their personal inclination. It implies a level of influence that leaves little or no room for choice. For example, one might say, "The evidence compelled the jury to find him guilty," meaning the proof was so overwhelming that any other conclusion felt impossible.
Compel is used in both literal and figurative contexts. A government might compel its citizens to pay taxes through the power of law and enforcement. On a more personal level, you can be compelled by an internal sense of duty or morality. In this sense, it is a strong inner push driving your actions, such as when a desire for justice compels a whistleblower to speak out despite the risks.
The strength of "compel" lies in its suggestion of irresistible pressure. It is significantly more forceful than "persuade" or "encourage." While persuasion appeals to reason and allows for disagreement, compulsion often bypasses choice entirely, leaving the subject feeling driven or obligated.
Historically, "compel" comes from the Latin compellere, meaning "to drive together" or "to force." This sense of forceful movement remains central to its modern usage. Imagine a powerful river current compelling a boat downstream—it isn't merely guiding the vessel; it is dictating its path. Whether the context is legal obligation, moral conviction, or overwhelming evidence, to compel is to exert an irresistible force that drives someone toward a specific action.
Examples
- 1
Legal requirement
The new law compels employers to provide basic safety training.
- 2
Economic pressure
High rent has compelled some small shops to close.
- 3
Personal obligation
I felt compelled to reply to her message right away.
- Patternfeel compelled to do X
feel that you must do it
- 4
Police investigation
The new evidence compelled the police to reopen the case.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Earned respect
Her honesty and courage compelled everyone's respect.
- Patterncompel respect
make people respect someone or something
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- compelverb
Forms
- compelling-ing formverb
- compelledpast tenseverb
- compelsverb