impel

UK: /ɪmˈpɛl/ US: /ɪmˈpɛl/ ,(im pel′)

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

impels

v 3rd person singular

impelling

v pres p

impelled

v past

impelled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

im•pel /ɪmˈpɛl/   v. [~ + object] , -pelled, -pel•ling. 

1. to urge forward;
   to force (to some action):
   The economic conditions impelled us.
   [~ + object + to + verb]
   Financial problems impelled the firm to cut its budget.
2. to impart motion to:
   The wheel acts to impel the shaft.

im•pel•ler, n. [countable] See -pel-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

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

1. to drive or urge forward;
   press on;
   incite or constrain to action.
2. to drive or cause to move onward;
   propel;
   impart motion to.

• Latin impellere to strike against, set in motion (transitive), equivalent. to im- im-¹ + pellere to strike, move (something); akin to pulse¹
• late Middle English impellen 1375–1425

Synonyms

• 1. actuate. See compel. 

Antonyms

• 1. restrain.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

impel / ɪmˈpɛl/ verb ( -pels, -pelling, -pelled)(transitive)

1. to urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
2. to push, drive, or force into motion

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin impellere to push against, drive forward, from im- (in) + pellere to drive, push, strike

imˈpellent noun , adjective