1
as in drives
to set or keep in motion
gasoline impels a car's engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compels
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
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 impels
And so, our mission – grounded in both truth and love – impels us to discern the motives that shape events, and the shifts in thought that drive human progress through higher ideals of justice, mercy, and wisdom.
—
Christa Case Bryant,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
Christa Case Bryant,
Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impels
Verb
-
By stripping out parts and, crucially, reducing the number of unique parts, the company shortens manufacturing time, raises reliability, and drives down cost, all at once.
-
Fire shelters are mandatory equipment for crews who work across rugged terrain where things can change at a moment’s notice, especially when extremely dry and windy weather drives the flames, as happened last Saturday.
Verb
-
This ruling compels companies to confront systemic biases embedded in their hiring data, rather than solely blaming technology.
-
When systemic failures persist, lawsuits are the catalyst that compels meaningful reform and protects children who cannot protect themselves.
Verb
-
Your mind takes you on an adventure as Jupiter moves into Leo today.
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Verb
-
This forces the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve between the esophagus and the stomach, to open and close rapidly in succession.
-
Andy’s diagnosis pulled her back overnight—a common reality for glioblastoma families, since the disease often forces patients to stop working.
Verb
-
Rucking activates the upper trapezius, shoulders, upper back, abdominals, obliques and lower back, according to trainers and coaches who specialize in the method.
-
Scent activates pathways that trigger emotional and memory responses.
Verb
-
However, the rotation of this filament clearly dominates how the galaxies within it spin, perhaps by funneling hydrogen gas along the dark-matter filament and onto the galaxies in a way that coerces their spin while providing further fuel for star formation.
-
Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor, coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.
Verb
-
The system uses the firm’s Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator that propels test materials through simulated weather.
-
The ship’s engine propels it when wind conditions are poor, giving the crew more control over its port schedule.
Verb
-
The automotive groups accused Volkswagen of violating a standard dealer agreement, which obligates the company to sell its products through authorized dealerships.
-
Iran is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that obligates it not to enrich uranium for military purposes.
Cite this Entry
“Impels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impels. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
