rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycompelForcing an action or response
verb

compel

kum-PEL/kəmˈpel/

To force someone to act or respond in a particular way.

The supervisor compels the reluctant employee to stack the crates.

Compel: workplace supervisor firmly directs a reluctant adult employee toward a mandatory task of stacking crates, authoritative pointing gesture, employee reluctantly moves crate.
Etymology
comLatintogether
+pelLatinto drive

“Drive together” evokes herding cattle into one place. Applied to people, the same driving image expresses physical or moral pressure that forces someone to act.

In context

National Geographic33:20
the courts at this time had a slightly strange idea that if people refused to enter a plea, you could subject them to torment to compel them to do so.
The Salem Witch Hunt (Full Episode) | Witches: Truth Behind the Trials | National Geographic

More examples

  • The court can compel witnesses to testify.
  • I felt compelled to apologize for my mistake.
  • Her direct question compels him to give an honest answer.

Forms

compel · compels · compelled · compelling

compulsion noun — Pressure or an irresistible urge to act.

Similar words

force
More directly suggests physical power or pressure overcoming resistance.
coerce
Specifically suggests using threats or intimidation to obtain compliance.
oblige
Often suggests a requirement imposed by duty or circumstances.