1
as in drove
to set or keep in motion
gasoline impels a car's engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compelled
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impelled
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impelled
Verb
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Still, Trump’s words drove oil prices back down to roughly $80 per barrel and allowed American stocks to rally before the markets closed.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
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Cars drove by and many drivers honked their horns in support, waving or raising fists through open windows in solidarity.—
Jodi Bondi Norgaard,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This year, Israelis were compelled by circumstance to celebrate Purim in or near their bomb shelters.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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With former swing tackle Yosh Nijman retiring Wednesday, the Panthers were compelled to look elsewhere for Ekwonu insurance.—
Mike Kaye
Updated March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The win moved the Kings into the final wild-card playoff spot in the Western Conference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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Late last year, Arthurell moved into an existing foster home in Sydney, where two children were already living under the care of an elderly woman, 2GB reported.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Young people have the right to think for themselves rather than having conservative extremism forced upon them in class.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Fuel shortages have forced authorities to impose rolling electricity outages across the country and limit some public services.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That breakthrough propelled Anderson to Iona, which hired him in March 2023 to replace Rick Pitino.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Creativity and empathy have propelled two south suburban teachers into the running for prestigious Golden Apple awards for Excellence in Teaching.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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However, in early 2026, Banegas claimed his attorneys coerced him into pleading guilty and sought to change his plea.—
Joan Murray,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Two similar situated individuals, both coerced to commit a murder have a different sentencing structure.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your 7th House of Care and your 10th House of Jobs are activated by this Venus-Jupiter square, which also affects the New Moon in your practical 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The last time the task force was activated was in 2020.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This last image was already ripe for parody decades ago, and Koos Kombuis obliged in his 1980 song Kaalvoet (Barefoot), sending the trekkers over the mountains with picnic hampers, polony, and their sneakers (takkies) forgotten at home.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The state felt obliged to make up the difference.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelled. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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