- present tense form of compel (3rd person singular).
compels
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jaques posited that middle age compels people to lean in to “the tragic, reflective and philosophical.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026
"It compels us to preserve this property, to protect it, to cherish it even more, and to promote its value," he added.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
A subpoena compels a party to release specified internal documents or information.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
It is, as yet, a dud — a $2,000 slot machine that pays out a Community Note dressed as a verdict, in a process that compels nothing and binds no one.
From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2026
Here it is to be noted that a prince must avoid ever joining forces with one more powerful than himself to injure others, unless necessity compels you, as was mentioned above.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
