compel

Meaning

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

Synonyms

force

coerce

oblige

constrain

press

enforce

impel

make

drive

impose

obligate

require

urge

pressure

necessitate

intimidate

command

bully

browbeat

bludgeon

terrorize

persuade

exact

dragoon

dictate

assert

tyrannize

hector

compulsion

rule

thrust

extort

mandate

menace

bind

direct

hound

induce

harass

detain

demand

harry

insist

decree

decline

conjugate

bow

🙇

confine

compulsory

boss

Translations

zwingen

obligar

contraindre

obliger

dwingen

forcer

forzar

costringere

forzare

αναγκάζω

compeler

obrigar

verplichten

obbligare

imposer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kəmˈpɛl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: compellen

In summary

From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan.