Synonyms for compel
kəmˈpɛlcom·pel

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 3 votes

1. compel

   To compel one to an act is to secure its performance by the use of irresistible physical or moral force. Force implies primarily an actual physical process, absolutely subduing all resistance. Coerce implies the actual or potential use of so much force as may be necessary to secure the surrender of the will; the American secessionists contended that the Federal government had no right to coerce a State. Constrain implies the yielding of judgment and will, and in some cases of inclination or affection, to an overmastering power; as, "the love of Christ constraineth us," 2 Cor. v, 14. Compare DRIVE; INFLUENCE.

   See synonyms for HINDER.

   Synonyms:
   coerce, constrain, drive, force, make, necessitate, oblige

   Preposition:
   The soldiers were compelled to desertion: preferably with the infinitive, compelled to desert.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.0 / 4 votes

1. compel

   Synonyms:
   force, oblige, drive, constrain, necessitate, make, coerce, bind

   Antonyms:
   persuade, convince, coax, allure, egg, induce, tempt, seduce, acquit, cozen, liberate, release

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. compel, oblige, obligateverb

   force somebody to do something

   "We compel all students to fill out this form"

   Synonyms:
   oblige, accommodate, bind, obligate, hold

2. compelverb

   necessitate or exact

   "the water shortage compels conservation"

   Synonyms:
   oblige, obligate

Matched Categories

1. • Cause
   • Necessitate

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. compelverb

   Synonyms:
   force, oblige, constrain, coerce, drive, necessitate

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. compelverb

   Synonyms:
   force, make, constrain, oblige, necessitate, coerce, drive, dragoon, overpower

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "compel":

   oblige, coerce, force, require, obligate, impose, bind

How to pronounce compel?

How to say compel in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use compel in a sentence?

1. Jared Dearing:

   Most of us can not compel our local election jurisdictions to update their equipment.

2. Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall:

   I would like to see companies make more investments in technologies for future profits, but I'm not in a position to compel them to do it.

3. Mukaibar Shah:

   Govt office staffs have agreed that COVID is a fake propaganda, but they are forced to wear masks and also compel visitors to wear masks or else they pay penality and even lose jobs.

4. Mitt Romney:

   The courts are not going to say that you can compel a person running for office to release their tax returns.

5. White House:

   The United States strongly objects to China's attempts to compel private firms to use specific language of a political nature in their publicly available content, we call on China to stop threatening and coercing American carriers and citizens.