compel
compel
Pronunciation
The word compel is a powerful verb used to describe the act of driving or forcing an action. Here is the breakdown of the word's phonetics, forms, and definitions.
Phonetic Breakdown
The IPA phonetic spelling for compel is /kəmˈpɛl/.
Syllable 1: /kəm/
/k/: A voiceless velar plosive (the hard "k" sound).
/ə/: The schwa sound, a neutral, unstressed vowel.
/m/: A bilabial nasal (the "m" sound).
Syllable 2: /ˈpɛl/
/p/: A voiceless bilabial plosive (the "p" sound).
/ɛ/: An open-mid front unrounded vowel (the "eh" sound in "bed").
/l/: An alveolar lateral approximant (the "l" sound).
Word Form Variations
Base Form: compel
Third-Person Singular: compels
Past Tense: compelled
Past Participle: compelled
Present Participle/Gerund: compelling
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To drive, force, or urge someone irresistibly to a certain course of action; to make something happen by the exercise of power, necessity, or influence.
Synonyms: coerce, enforce, necessitate, oblige, constrain.
Antonyms: deter, discourage, dissuade, hinder, stop.
Adjective (Compelling)
Describing something that evokes interest, attention, or admiration in a powerful and irresistible way; or, providing evidence that is not able to be refuted.
Synonyms: captivating, persuasive, convincing, gripping, forceful.
Antonyms: boring, weak, unconvincing, bland, tedious.
Noun (Compulsion)
An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes; or the state of being forced to do something.
Synonyms: urge, drive, necessity, obligation, preoccupation.
Antonyms: freedom, choice, option, independence, aversion.
Adverb (Compellingly)
In a manner that demands attention or belief; doing something in a way that is highly convincing or irresistible.
Synonyms: powerfully, persuasively, convincingly, irresistibly.
Antonyms: weakly, unconvincingly, doubtfully, poorly.
Examples of Use
To see how compel functions in the wild, consider these examples ranging from classic literature and legal discourse to modern journalism and gaming.
Literature and Philosophy
"No man can compel another to be happy in his own way." (Immanuel Kant, Perpetual Peace and Other Essays)
"There is no property in any man's body; but there is a duty in every man's soul to compel the body to serve the spirit." (Theodore Roosevelt, The Strenuous Life)
"The very atmosphere of the room seemed to compel a silence that was both heavy and expectant." (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale)
Journalism and Online Publications
Legal analysts often debate whether the government can compel a technology company to unlock encrypted user data during a criminal investigation. (The New York Times, February 2016)
"The sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis should compel international leaders to move beyond rhetoric and toward actionable aid packages." (The Guardian, October 2023)
Climate scientists argue that the data on rising sea levels should compel coastal cities to redesign their infrastructure immediately. (National Geographic, 2024)
Entertainment and Media
In the television series The Vampire Diaries, "compulsion" is a central plot device where supernatural beings can compel humans to act against their will or forget specific memories.
"The rhythmic drive of the bassline is designed to compel the listener to move, creating an almost hypnotic effect on the dance floor." (Rolling Stone, June 2021)
In various role-playing games (RPGs), players may encounter "Compel" spells or mechanics that force an enemy NPC to abandon their post or reveal a secret.
General Public Discourse and Law
A judge may issue a "Motion to Compel," which is a legal order requiring a party to provide discovery or testimony they have previously withheld.
During town hall meetings, citizens often argue that economic necessity should compel local governments to prioritize affordable housing over luxury developments.
"Personal conscience should compel every individual to stand up against injustice whenever they witness it in their daily lives."
10 Quotes Using Compel
"Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another." (Plato)
"To advise is not to compel." (Anton Chekhov)
"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." (Thomas Jefferson)
"Only by self-respect will you compel others to respect you." (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
"Nothing can rightly compel a simple and brave man to a vulgar sadness." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"O accursed hunger of gold, to what dost thou not compel human hearts!" (Virgil)
"It is the lash of hunger which compels the poor man to submit." (Johann Most)
"Simply dare to assume you are what you want to be and you will compel everyone to play their part." (Neville Goddard)
"History shows that vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them." (B. R. Ambedkar)
Etymology
The etymology of compel is a story of "driving together." It originates from the Latin word compellere, which is a combination of two distinct parts:
com-: A prefix meaning "together."
pellere: A verb meaning "to drive" or "to push."
In its earliest Latin context, the word literally meant "to drive together," much like a shepherd might drive a flock of sheep into a confined space. Over time, the meaning shifted from a physical act of herding to a more figurative act of forcing someone toward a specific thought or action through authority or irresistible influence.
First Known Use and Evolution
The word entered the English language in the late 14th century, arriving via the Old French word compellir.
When it first appeared in Middle English, it carried the same primary meaning we use today: to force or constrain a person to do something by physical or moral power. One of its earliest recorded uses in English literature appears in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, where it was used to describe the act of being forced by circumstances or authority.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Compel
Below is a list of phrases and idioms featuring compel, as well as synonymous idioms that convey the same sense of irresistible force or necessity.
Phrases and Idioms Using "Compel"
Compel attendance: A formal or legal phrase used when an authority requires a person to be present (e.g., "The court issued a subpoena to compel attendance").
Compel admiration: To behave or perform in such a remarkable way that others have no choice but to respect or be impressed by you.
Feel compelled to [action]: A common expression describing an internal sense of duty or an irresistible urge to do something (e.g., "I felt compelled to speak up when I saw the error").
Compel a response: To create a situation or ask a question so powerful or urgent that the other party is forced to answer.
Compel silence: To use power, awe, or authority to make a room or a person stop speaking.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect
Twist someone's arm: To pressure or force someone into doing something they may be reluctant to do.
Railroad someone: To rush or force someone into a decision or action without giving them time to consider it.
Under the gun: To be under intense pressure or forced by a deadline to complete a task.
Force someone's hand: To make someone take an action or reveal their intentions sooner than they planned.
Hold a gun to someone's head: A figurative expression meaning to use an extreme threat to compel someone to act.
Paint someone into a corner: To leave someone with no other options, effectively compelling them to take the only path remaining.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of compel from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
