as in to coerce
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compel
New York Times Kamala Harris felt compelled to speak out about what President Trump was doing to the country.
—
New York Times, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Trump is not compelled to release any information, and there is no template for the presidential exam.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Last year, the trial judge, Spencer Eig, denied the Dolphins’ motion to compel arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Apr. 2025
To compel Brand to return home, the UK government’s Home Office would need to make an extradition request to U.S. authorities.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
New York Times, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Trump is not compelled to release any information, and there is no template for the presidential exam.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Last year, the trial judge, Spencer Eig, denied the Dolphins’ motion to compel arbitration.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Apr. 2025
To compel Brand to return home, the UK government’s Home Office would need to make an extradition request to U.S. authorities.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compel
Verb
-
The administration is threatening to withhold federal money from universities as a way to coerce many of them to comply with administration policies in ways that implicate free speech and in some instances violate legal processes for the withholding of federal support.—
Daniel Hall,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Its alliances were coerced, its innovations lagged behind, and its industrial system collapsed under its own contradictions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Five years after the pandemic forced children into remote instruction, two-thirds of U.S. fourth graders still cannot read at grade level.—
K. Dara Hill,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Such environments can force the plane downward, disrupt its ability to climb, or reduce lift on the wings, according to aviation experts.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
We are obligated not only to seek justice for ourselves, but also to protect the rights and freedoms afforded to all people.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
-
One caution: a pre-listing inspection obligates the seller to disclose or repair deficiencies.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Gentry implied that the growth sprang largely from American unexpectedly adding flights, which the airport is contractually obliged to accommodate, The Ledger reported.—
Ted Reed,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Atlanta took advantage, with Trae Young driving for a layup to tie the score at 106 with 1.3 seconds remaining and force overtime.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compel. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share