Definition

1. Verb:
   • To force or oblige someone to do something: To make someone take a particular action, often through pressure, authority, or necessity, leaving them little or no choice.
   • To necessitate a particular action or result: To make something necessary or unavoidable due to the circumstances.

Usage and Examples

• To force someone to do something:

  • The law compels all drivers to have insurance.
  • His conscience compelled him to tell the truth.
  • They were compelled to leave the country due to the war.

• To make something necessary; to necessitate:

  • The crisis compels immediate action.
  • His lack of experience compels caution.
  • The evidence is so clear it compels only one conclusion.

Advanced Usage and Grammatical Notes

• Voice: "Compel" is most commonly used in the passive voice when referring to people being forced.

  • She felt compelled to apologize. (Passive)
  • The judge compelled the witness to answer. (Active)

• Patterns: It is typically followed by an object and an infinitive ("to compel someone to do something"). It can also be followed by a noun.

  • The contract compels payment within 30 days.

Variants and Related Words

• Compulsion (noun): The action or state of being forced to do something.
  • He signed the agreement under compulsion.
• Compulsive (adjective): Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge.
  • He is a compulsive gambler.
• Compelling (adjective): Evoking interest or attention in a powerfully irresistible way; convincing.
  • She gave a compelling argument for the new policy.

Synonyms

• Force: To make someone do something against their will.
• Oblige: To make it necessary for someone to do something (often through moral or legal duty).
• Coerce: To persuade someone to do something by using force or threats.
• Constrain: To severely restrict or force into a particular action.
• Impel: To drive or force someone to do something (often from an internal motive).

Antonyms

• Coax: To persuade gently.
• Dissuade: To persuade someone not to take a particular course of action.
• Allow: To permit someone to do something.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To feel compelled to do something: To feel a strong moral or internal pressure to act.
  • I felt compelled to speak out against the injustice.
• To compel attention/respect/admiration: To be so powerful or impressive that it forces a particular reaction.
  • Her performance was so brilliant it compelled admiration from the critics.

Verb

1. necessitate or exact
   • the water shortage compels conservation
2. force somebody to do something
   • We compel all students to fill out this form