compel

UK: /kəmˈpɛl/ US: /kəmˈpɛl/ ,(kəm pel′)

Inflections of 'compel' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

compels

v 3rd person singular

compelling

v pres p

compelled

v past

compelled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pel /kəmˈpɛl/   v., -pelled, -pel•ling. 

1. to force or drive (someone) to do something;
   require:
   [~ + object + to + verb] compelled to work hard by the thought of being fired.
2. to secure or bring about by force or power:
   [~ + object] She managed to compel obedience from her staff.

See -pel-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pel  (kəm pel′), v., -pelled, -pel•ling. 
v.t. 

1. to force or drive, esp. to a course of action:
   His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
2. to secure or bring about by force.
3. to force to submit;
   subdue.
4. to overpower.
5. [Archaic.] to drive together;
   unite by force;
   herd.

v.i. 

6. to use force.
7. to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.

• Latin compellere to crowd, force, equivalent. to com- com- + pellere to push, drive
• Anglo-French)
• Middle English compellen (1350–1400

com•pel′la•ble, adj. 
com•pel′la•bly, adv. 
com•pel′lent, adj. 
com•pel′ler, n. 
com•pel′ling•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. constrain, oblige, coerce.
  Compel, impel agree in the idea of using physical or other force to cause something to be done.
  Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes:
  to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble.
  Impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end:
  Wind impels a ship. Curiosity impels me to ask.
• 3. overpower, bend.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

compel / kəmˈpɛl/ verb ( -pels, -pelling, -pelled)(transitive)

1. to cause (someone) by force (to be or do something)
2. to obtain by force; exact: to compel obedience

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin compellere to drive together, from com- together + pellere to drive

comˈpellable adjective