compel

compel
[[t]kəmpe̱l[/t]]
compels, compelling, compelled
1) VERB If a situation, a rule, or a person compels you to do something, they force you to do it.

[V n to-inf] ...the introduction of legislation to compel cyclists to wear a helmet...

[V n to-inf] Leonie's mother was compelled to take in washing to help support her family...

[V n to-inf] Local housing authorities have been compelled by the housing crisis to make offers of sub-standard accommodation. [Also V n]

2) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR to-inf If you feel compelled to do something, you feel that you must do it, because it is the right thing to do.

Dickens felt compelled to return to the stage for a final good-bye...

I felt morally compelled to help.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • compel — com·pel /kəm pel/ vt com·pelled, com·pel·ling: to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure and esp. by authority or law cannot compel the defendant to testify the result...is compelled by, the original understanding of the fourteenth… …   Law dictionary

  • Compel — Com*pel , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Compelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Compelling}.] [L. compellere, compulsum, to drive together, to compel, urge; com + pellere to drive: cf. OF. compellir. See {Pulse}.] 1. To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Compel — Com*pel , v. i. To make one yield or submit. If she can not entreat, I can compel. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • compel — mid 14c., from O.Fr. compellir, from L. compellere to drive together, drive to one place (of cattle), to force or compel (of persons), from com together (see COM (Cf. com )) + pellere to drive (see PULSE (Cf. pulse) (1)). Related: Compelled …   Etymology dictionary

  • compel — *force, coerce, constrain, oblige Analogous words: impel, drive, *move: *command, order, enjoin Contrasted words: prevail, *induce, persuade, get: *coax, cajole, wheedle, blandish …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • compel — [v] force to act bulldoze*, coerce, concuss, constrain, crack down, dragoon, drive, enforce, exact, hustle, impel, make, make necessary, necessitate, oblige, put the arm on*, put the chill on*, restrain, shotgun*, squeeze, throw weight around*,… …   New thesaurus

  • compel — ► VERB (compelled, compelling) 1) force or oblige to do something. 2) bring about by force or pressure. ORIGIN Latin compellere, from pellere drive …   English terms dictionary

  • compel — [kəm pel′] vt. compelled, compelling [ME compellen < OFr compellir < L compellere < com , together + pellere, to drive: see FELT1] 1. to force or constrain, as to do something 2. to get or bring about by force 3. Archaic to gather or… …   English World dictionary

  • compel — verb 1) he compelled them to leave their land Syn: force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong arm; oblige, require, make; informal lean on, put the screws on 2) they can compel compliance …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • compel — 01. The single mother was [compelled] to take on a second part time job in order to feed her family. 02. The government has introduced legislation to [compel] public buildings to spend a certain amount of their budget on art. 03. I felt… …   Grammatical examples in English

  • Compel — To compel one to present information to a jury is done by order of a judge. If a judge believes the individual has information relevant to the cause, he can force that person to present that information or be subject to arrest for contempt of… …   Wikipedia

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