impel

verb

im·pel im-ˈpel How to pronounce impel (audio)

impelled; impelling

transitive verb

: to urge or drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong moral pressure : force

felt impelled to correct the misconception

: to impart motion to : propel

Did you know?

Impel vs Compel

Impel is very similar in meaning to compel, and often a perfect synonym, though it tends to suggest even more strongly an inner drive to do something and a greater urgency to act, especially for moral reasons. But when impel takes its noun and adjective forms, it changes slightly. So an impulse—such as "impulse buying", when you suddenly see something cool and know you've got to have it—often isn't based on anything very serious. And impulsive behavior in general, such as blurting out something stupid on the spur of the moment, is the kind of thing you're supposed to get over when you grow up.

Example Sentences

His interest in the American Civil War impelled him to make repeated visits to Gettysburg. She felt impelled to give a speech after the performance.

Recent Examples on the Web Also, the strategic threat of Moscow possibly controlling the entire Crimean coast of Ukraine again, across the Black Sea from Turkey, would impel a return to full dependence on the Nato alliance.

Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Trade deals should impel U.S. companies to innovate, not force them to compete against foreign firms unrestrained by labor, environmental and intellectual-property standards.

Stephanie Murphy, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 This works as a rhetorical move: No one wants to be stuck, and dread of this fate can impel a person to action.

Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 11 July 2022 For months, the countries have introduced tough new measure after tough new measure—at times, within hours of one another—to impel citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19, or face the consequences.

Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2022 Of course, the high-profile role of public officials should impel them to be sticklers about following their own rules.

Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Aug. 2021 Symptoms include severe mood swings and deep despondency as well as impulses that can impel a mother to harm herself or her child.

Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2021 David Sedaris’ essays impel me to read aloud and laugh communally – at the beach, on a road trip, and sometimes at the dinner table.

Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2021 The purpose of this verbal sleight of hand is to humanize trees, and thereby impel the reader to extend greater care to them.

Robert Moor, The New Yorker, 10 June 2021 See More

impel

verb

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

drive
move
propel
activate
actuate
stimulate
motivate
provoke
work
trigger
incite
abet
foment
excite
inspire
rouse
raise
galvanize
arouse
ferment
instigate
inflame
set off
enflame
trip
whip (up)
stir (up)
fire (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

restrain
regulate
constrain
inhibit
contain
control
check
curb
rein (in)
bridle

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be

Synonyms & Similar Words

compel
force
coerce
obligate
oblige
drive
constrain
pressure
impress
intimidate
muscle
press
make
blackmail
dragoon
bully
sandbag
threaten
blackjack
browbeat
twist one's arm
hector
bulldoze
terrorize
drag
shame
cow
menace
harass
badger
hound
high-pressure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

let
allow
permit
induce
move
convince
satisfy
persuade
argue
talk (into)
win (over)
prevail (on or upon)

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

单词	impel
释义	impel verb im·pel im-ˈpel impelled; impelling transitive verb 1 : to urge or drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong moral pressure : force felt impelled to correct the misconception 2 : to impart motion to : propel Did you know? Impel vs Compel Impel is very similar in meaning to compel, and often a perfect synonym, though it tends to suggest even more strongly an inner drive to do something and a greater urgency to act, especially for moral reasons. But when impel takes its noun and adjective forms, it changes slightly. So an impulse—such as "impulse buying", when you suddenly see something cool and know you've got to have it—often isn't based on anything very serious. And impulsive behavior in general, such as blurting out something stupid on the spur of the moment, is the kind of thing you're supposed to get over when you grow up. Synonyms actuate drive move propel work See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences His interest in the American Civil War impelled him to make repeated visits to Gettysburg. She felt impelled to give a speech after the performance. Recent Examples on the Web Also, the strategic threat of Moscow possibly controlling the entire Crimean coast of Ukraine again, across the Black Sea from Turkey, would impel a return to full dependence on the Nato alliance. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Trade deals should impel U.S. companies to innovate, not force them to compete against foreign firms unrestrained by labor, environmental and intellectual-property standards. Stephanie Murphy, WSJ, 1 Aug. 2022 This works as a rhetorical move: No one wants to be stuck, and dread of this fate can impel a person to action. Virginia Heffernan, Wired, 11 July 2022 For months, the countries have introduced tough new measure after tough new measure—at times, within hours of one another—to impel citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19, or face the consequences. Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2022 Of course, the high-profile role of public officials should impel them to be sticklers about following their own rules. Rich Lowry, National Review, 3 Aug. 2021 Symptoms include severe mood swings and deep despondency as well as impulses that can impel a mother to harm herself or her child. Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2021 David Sedaris’ essays impel me to read aloud and laugh communally – at the beach, on a road trip, and sometimes at the dinner table. Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 June 2021 The purpose of this verbal sleight of hand is to humanize trees, and thereby impel the reader to extend greater care to them. Robert Moor, The New Yorker, 10 June 2021 See More Word History Etymology Middle English impellen, from Latin impellere, from in- + pellere to drive — more at felt First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition impel verb im·pel im-ˈpel impelled; impelling : to urge or force into action I felt impelled to speak up. impel verb 1 as in to drive to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance drive move propel activate actuate stimulate motivate provoke work trigger incite abet foment excite inspire rouse raise galvanize arouse ferment instigate inflame set off enflame trip whip (up) stir (up) fire (up) Antonyms & Near Antonyms restrain regulate constrain inhibit contain control check curb rein (in) bridle See More 2 as in to compel to cause (a person) to give in to pressure I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be Synonyms & Similar Words compel force coerce obligate oblige drive constrain pressure impress intimidate muscle press make blackmail dragoon bully sandbag threaten blackjack browbeat twist one's arm hector bulldoze terrorize drag shame cow menace harass badger hound high-pressure Antonyms & Near Antonyms let allow permit induce move convince satisfy persuade argue talk (into) win (over) prevail (on or upon) See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus. a candidate impelled by ambition The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion. turbines actuated by waterpower Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus. a ship driven aground by hurricane winds The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position. moved the furniture
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impel

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

verb

verb

Synonym Chooser