IMPEL Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impel' differ from other similar words?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'actuate' instead of 'impel'?

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

Q: When is 'drive' a more appropriate choice than 'impel'?

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

Q: When would 'move' be a good substitute for 'impel'?

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

impel

verb

im-ˈpel

Definition of impel next

as in to drive

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb impel differ from other similar words?

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

When is it sensible to use actuate instead of impel?

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

When is drive a more appropriate choice than impel?

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

When would move be a good substitute for impel?

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

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 impel Both were impelled to launch ninth-inning pushes to persuade Oscar voters that Shakespeare wasn’t really in love and Private Ryan needed serious saving. —

Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026 Daniel’s commercial failure as a novelist impelled him to move to Los Angeles to try writing for the movies. —

David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025 While the recent protests were sparked by the social media ban, protesters said that they had been impelled by years of government corruption and failure to provide young people with economic opportunities. —

Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 While Elijah had consistently depended on God up to that point, great fear impelled him to run far into the wilderness. —

Cheryl Ranson, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel

Verb

The work is freelance and deadline-driven, with no salary, benefits, or job security.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Neto drove a 2-0 sinker 413 feet to center field, stunning Ginn and the A’s while ending a six-game losing streak for the Angels.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026

Definition of drive

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impeding

impel

impelled

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“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of impel

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