- present tense form of compel (3rd person singular).
compels
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.
A subpoena compels a party to release specified internal documents or information.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
There’s also a family curse, which is what ultimately compels Rachel to stay, even at a reception that echoes Luis Buñuel’s “The Exterminating Angel.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026
And yet, it’s rare to find a storefront that compels me to pause and look, as so few display anything other than exactly what is on the racks inside.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
Fragmentation compels banks and asset managers to localize balance sheets and hold excess capital, constraining cross-border intermediation and dampening growth.
From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026
Something compels me to seek out things that are better left alone.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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