verb
impel
Impel (verb) means to push someone strongly to do something, driven by their own inner motivation.
verb
1
To push someone strongly to do something, driven by their own inner motivation.
"I feel impelled to reply to Roger Henry's letter about my article on being denied an apartment. I truly resent any insinuation that I "slunk back into that rotting old closet.""
— Michael Shernoff, No 'Rotting Closet' (1976)
2
To push something forward or set it in motion.
"The wind impelled the kayaks toward the shore."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like impel.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Came into English via Middle English impellen, borrowed from Latin impellō.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of impel?
"impel" (verb) means to push someone strongly to do something, driven by their own inner motivation.
What is another word for impel?
Other words for "impel" include propel, force.
What is the opposite of impel?
Opposites of "impel" include restrain, retard, delay.
What are the different meanings of impel?
"impel" has 2 main meanings: 1. To push someone strongly to do something, driven by their own inner motivation; 2. To push something forward or set it in motion.
