compel

verb

(transitive) To force, constrain, or coerce.

(transitive) To forcefully or powerfully motivate (a course of action).

(transitive) To have a strong, irresistible force (on someone or something).

(transitive) To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.

(transitive) To overpower; to subdue.

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

(obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.

(obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.

(obsolete) To call forth; to summon.

Roots

pello-pel · Latin · drive, push

Synonyms for compel

obligev coercev impelv forcen constrainv enforcev restrainv motivatev necessitatev browbeatv

Synonyms & related words for compel

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of compel — including oblige, coerce, impel, force, constrain, enforce. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to compel

Explore words related to compel — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include obligate, coercible, coercer, persuade, incoercible, constrainable, enjoin, suasive. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for compel

Common synonyms for compel include oblige, coerce, impel, force, constrain, enforce, restrain, motivate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does compel come from?

The word compel breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -pel, from Latin pello (“drive, push”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.