compel

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

First Minister John Swinney has defended his plan to compel supermarkets to cap the price of some groceries following criticism from business groups.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

If courts allow his suit to proceed, they will finally compel immigration agents to operate within the Constitution—or face consequences for defying it.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

The hope is that squeezing the regime economically will compel it to resume negotiations for a political solution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Rate traders, meanwhile, are digesting minutes of the Fed’s March policy meeting, in which a growing number of officials said war-related inflation might compel the need for interest-rate hikes before the end of the year.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Sometimes she wondered if this was her own failure rather than his, if perhaps she lacked a certain strength that would compel him to include her in his pain.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie