compels

verbforce to act

Word Origin & History

mid-14c., from Old French compellir, from Latin compellere "to drive together, drive to one place" (of cattle), "to force or compel" (of persons), from com- "together" (see com-) + pellere "to drive" (see pulse (n.1)). Related: Compelled; compelling.

Example Sentences for compels

What do you think, eh, of the etiquette which compels him to such loneliness?

First of all it compels the proletariat to live in the most disgusting promiscuity.

She exposed the whole system which compels women to "live by their charm."

And yet why should we shrink from it when the purpose which compels is the saving of the children?

Putting the end over his shoulders, he compels the sot to come along.

There is no statute which compels a man to take an estate against his will.

But he takes them down again, gently but determinedly, and compels her to hear him.

He holds her eyes and speaks with a passion of sincerity that compels belief.

She says there is nothing in my physical makeup that compels me to be a flirt.

He compels respect and recognition from those who have ridiculed his poverty.

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Synonyms for compels

verb force to act

compels

Synonyms for compels

Antonyms for compels