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Definitions

compelled

[kuhm-peld] / kəmˈpɛld /
ADJECTIVE
answerable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accountable amenable liable obligated obliged
WEAK
bound chargeable constrained subject to blame
Antonyms
STRONGEST
irresponsible unaccountable
WEAK
irrefutable unprovable
ADJECTIVE
bound
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constrained enslaved obligated restrained
STRONG
apprenticed articled bent coerced contracted doomed driven fated firm forced impelled indentured intent made necessitated obliged pledged pressed required urged
WEAK
bounden certain duty-bound having no alternative sure under compulsion under necessity
Antonyms
STRONG
irresolute
WEAK
allowed free permitted unbounded unobliged unrestricted
ADJECTIVE
destined
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coming designed doomed intended
STRONG
brewing closed condemned directed foreordained impending looming meant menacing near ordained overhanging predestined predetermined sealed settled stated threatening
WEAK
at hand certain compulsory forthcoming hanging over in prospect in store in the cards in the wind ineluctable inescapable inevitable inexorable instant predesigned que sera sera that is to be that will be to come unavoidable way the ball bounces
Antonyms
STRONG
distant remote unsettled
WEAK
avoidable unscheduled
ADJECTIVE
enforced
Synonyms
STRONGEST
imposed prescribed required sanctioned
STRONG
advocated charged constrained demanded dictated enjoined established exacted executed invoked kept ordained pressed
WEAK
carried out forced upon prevalent
ADJECTIVE
forced
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contrived enforced involuntary mandatory unwilling
STRONG
affected begrudging binding bound coerced conscripted constrained grudging labored slave
WEAK
artificial coercive factitious false inflexible insincere obligatory peremptory rigid stiff stringent unnatural wooden
Antonyms
STRONGEST
voluntary
WEAK
noncompulsory spontaneous unforced
ADJECTIVE
managed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
controlled regulated supervised
STRONG
commanded directed dominated mastered ordered piloted ruled run swayed
Antonyms
WEAK
free undisciplined uneducated ungoverned unsupervised wild
ADJECTIVE
obligated
Synonyms
STRONGEST
duty-bound enslaved indebted obliged
STRONG
committed contracted forced indentured pledged required tied urged
WEAK
bounden called by duty under obligation
ADJECTIVE
obliged
Synonyms
STRONGEST
duty-bound enslaved indebted obligated
STRONG
committed contracted forced indentured pledged required tied urged
WEAK
bounden called by duty under obligation
ADJECTIVE
responsible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
answerable culpable guilty liable pledged subject
WEAK
at fault at the helm authoritative bonded bound bound to carrying the load censurable chargeable constrained contracted decision-making devolving on duty-bound engaged executive exposed fettered hampered held high in authority in control incumbent minding the store obligated obliged on the hook open susceptive sworn to tied to blame under contract under obligation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
innocent right unaccountable
WEAK
excused exempt free immature immune irresponsible untrustworthy
ADJECTIVE
unwilling
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid averse evasive forced loath reluctant resistant unenthusiastic
WEAK
against against the grain backward begrudging contrary demurring disinclined disobliging grudging hesitating indisposed indocile involuntary laggard malcontent opposed recalcitrant refractory remiss shrinking shy slack slow unaccommodating uncheerful uncooperative uneager uninclined unobliging unready unwishful wayward
Antonyms
STRONGEST
eager enthusiastic ready willing
WEAK
prepared

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.

My bet is that Melania has been nursing a weird grudge about all this and simply felt compelled to say something.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Sharp said she’s been compelled to put so many hours into this work because she feels a responsibility to do so for the future health of her young daughter and husband.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

That was a theme I encountered in several of these interviews; clergy members felt compelled to pray for the federal agents it might have been easy for them to see as enemies or oppressors.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Guthrie told Kotb in a segment of their “Today” interview that she feels compelled to return because she considers the people she works with as family.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

“Your father should be a part of that conversation. But if you want, I can tell you a little more about me. And my childhood. And the reasons why I felt compelled to find her.”

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day