compel

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to necessitate or exact

   The water shortage compels conservation.

2. 2
   verb

   to force somebody to do something

   We compel all students to fill out this form.

3. 3
   verb

   To drive together, round up.

   The shepherds compelled the stray sheep into the fold as night began to fall.

4. 4
   verb

   To overpower; to subdue.

   She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.

5. 5
   verb

   To force, constrain, or coerce.

   Logic compels the wise, while fools feel compelled by emotions.

6. 6
   verb

   To forcefully or powerfully motivate (a course of action).

   As the novel progresses, it picks up a propulsive energy, the kind that compels you to keep reading straight through to the end.

7. 7
   verb

   To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.

   Commissions, which compel from each / The sixth part of his substance.

8. 8
   verb

   To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.

   Easy sleep their weary limbs compell'd.

Etymology

From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan.