释义
[ kuh m-pel ] SHOW IPA
/ kəmˈpɛl / PHONETIC RESPELLING
SEE SYNONYMS FOR compel ON THESAURUS.COM
verb (used with object), com·pelled, com·pel·ling. to force or drive, especially to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
to secure or bring about by force.
to force to submit; subdue.
to overpower.
Archaic . to drive together; unite by force; herd.
SEE MORE SEE LESS verb (used without object), com·pelled, com·pel·ling. to use force.
to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.
Origin of compel 1350–1400; Middle English
compellen (<Anglo-French ) <Latin
compellere to crowd, force, equivalent to
com- com- +
pellere to push, drive
SYNONYMS FOR compel 1 constrain, oblige, coerce.
3 overpower, bend.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR compel ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for compel 3 . Compel, impel agree in the idea of using physical or other force to cause something to be done. Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. Impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship. Curiosity impels me to ask.
OTHER WORDS FROM compel com·pel·la·ble, adjective com·pel·la·bly, adverb com·pel·lent, adjective com·pel·ler, noun
com·pel·ling·ly, adverb pre·com·pel, verb (used with object), pre·com·pelled, pre·com·pel·ling. un·com·pel·la·ble, adjective un·com·pelled, adjective
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WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH compel 1. coerce, compel , constrain, force, oblige 2. compel , impel (see synonym study at the current entry) Words nearby compel compatible, compatriot, Compazine, compd., compeer, compel , compellation, compelling, compendious, compendium, compensable
Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for compel It is “an act of force to compel our enemy to do our will” by spilling blood, and lots of it.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War | James A. Warren| November 24, 2014| DAILY BEAST
And the truth that language changes over time does not compel us to endorse any particular change.
Go Ahead, End With a Preposition: Grammar Rules We All Can Live With | Nick Romeo| November 3, 2014| DAILY BEAST
Which brings us to the images that compel our attention today.
When a Picture Is Too Powerful | Jeff Greenfield| September 15, 2014| DAILY BEAST
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
U.S. Air Force: Swear to God—or Get Out | Dave Majumdar| September 8, 2014| DAILY BEAST
Owen will have the power to compel the production of witnesses and documents from the British security and intelligence services.
Brits Investigate Assassination of the Spy Who Warned Us About Putin | Nico Hines| July 22, 2014| DAILY BEAST
All she had to do was to say she would not go on with the wedding, and no power on earth should compel her.
Plato approves of war conducted so far, as to compel the aggressor to indemnify the injured and the innocent.
The Rights of War and Peace | Hugo Grotius
It is supposed that the discomfort thus caused to them will compel them to grant the boon of rain.
The Popular Religion and Folk-Lore of Northern India, Vol. I (of 2) | W. Crooke
But however much you may feel yourself too high, too beautiful, too superior for me, I can compel you to come down to my level.
The Chouans | Honore de Balzac
If torments ever could bring forth despair, Let these compel him to it:—Oh me!
The Plays of Philip Massinger | Philip Massinger
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British Dictionary definitions for compel verb -pels , -pelling or -pelled (tr) to cause (someone) by force (to be or do something)
to obtain by force; exact to compel obedience
to overpower or subdue
archaic to herd or drive together
Derived forms of compel compellable , adjective compellably , adverb compeller , noun Word Origin for compel C14: from Latin compellere to drive together, from com- together + pellere to drive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Words related to compel urge, oblige, necessitate, impel, constrain, exact, enforce, bulldoze, make, drive, coerce, restrain, squeeze, hustle, dragoon, concuss, crack down, put the arm on, shotgun, throw weight around