compels

VERB

force to act

Synonyms

STRONGEST

constrain enforce exact impel necessitate oblige urge

STRONG

bulldoze coerce concuss dragoon drive hustle make restrain squeeze

WEAK

crack down make necessary put the arm on put the chill on shotgun throw weight around turn on the heat

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dissuade

STRONG

discourage halt leave alone stop

WEAK

block check delay deter hinder impede obstruct

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.

It’s not just their goony sense of humor that compels them to make silly intro videos and do funny accents.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 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

Fragmentation compels banks and asset managers to localize balance sheets and hold excess capital, constraining cross-border intermediation and dampening growth.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

The law also compels AI to send break reminders every three hours to users under 18.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

We stick close to the walls as we approach, but the frenzy from the blackout compels the guards to rush from their posts to secure the Mess and the Hub.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed