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compelled

 - 4 dictionary results

com⋅pel

  [kuhm-pel] verb, -pelled, -pel⋅ling.
Use compelled in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to force or drive, esp. to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
2. to secure or bring about by force.
3. to force to submit; subdue.
4. to overpower.
5. Archaic. to drive together; unite by force; herd.
–verb (used without object)
6. to use force.
7. to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME compellen (< AF) < L compellere to crowd, force, equiv. to com- com- + pellere to push, drive

Related forms:
com⋅pel⋅la⋅ble, adjective
com⋅pel⋅la⋅bly, adverb
com⋅pel⋅lent, adjective
com⋅pel⋅ler, noun
com⋅pel⋅ling⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. constrain, oblige, coerce. 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. 3. overpower, bend.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To compelled
com·pel   (kəm-pěl')   
tr.v.   com·pelled, com·pel·ling, com·pels

  1. To force, drive, or constrain: Duty compelled the soldiers to volunteer for the mission.

  2. To necessitate or pressure by force; exact: An energy crisis compels fuel conservation. See Synonyms at force.

  3. To exert a strong, irresistible force on; sway: "The land, in a certain, very real way, compels the minds of the people" (Barry Lopez).


[Middle English compellen, from Latin compellere : com-, com- + pellere, to drive; see pel-5 in Indo-European roots.]
com·pel'la·ble adj., com·pel'la·bly adv., com·pel'ler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

compel 
c.1350, from O.Fr. compellir, from L. compellere "to drive together," from com- "together" + pellere "to drive."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: com·pel
Pronunciation: k&m-'pel
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: com·pelled; com·pel·ling
: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure and esp. by authority or law compel the defendant to testify> compelled by, the original understanding of the fourteenth amendment's equal protection clause —Railroad H. Bork>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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