verb
compel
kuhm-PEHL
verb
1
To force or pressure someone into doing something.
"The court order compelled him to hand over the documents."
"Financial trouble compelled the company to lay off staff."
How to Use Compel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make someone do something, whether by force, law, or strong pressure.
Common pairings
compel someone to do
legally compelled
feel compelled
Word Forms
compelled past tense, compels singular
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Etymology
From Latin compellere, from com- ("together") plus pellere ("to drive"), the same root as "propel" and "expel."