compel

Verb

Meaning

To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.

To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort.

To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.

To gather or unite in a crowd or company.

To call forth; to summon.

To make one yield or submit.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

oblige constrain obligate coerce necessitate shanghai badger regiment dragoon make force pressure get cause influence
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Antonyms

bud airy area free allow daunt
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Hypernyms

have make take cause get need

Hyponyms

hale force pressure apply implement walk

Related terms

compulsion

Phrases with the word

to compel compel to accept compel silence

Derivatives

compelled compelling

Examples

His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants' hall. J. M. Barrie

War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will. Carl von Clausewitz

History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

A ruler must learn to persuade and not to compel. Frank Herbert

To advise is not to compel. German Proverb

What the law will compel you to do, do of your own free will. Latin Proverb

Close letter words and terms

Compeau compeer compeir compel silence compel testimony compel to accept