compel

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /kəmˈpɛl/ See IPA manual

Freq #17672

Meanings

1

verb
To force someone to do something.

The new rules compel all drivers to wear seatbelts.
2

verb
To make something seem necessary or strongly motivate it.

The gripping story compelled me to keep reading until dawn.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to force someone to do... force obligate

Word family

Forms compelledcompels

Derived forms compellablecompellationcompelledcompellencecompellercompellingrecompel

Related forms compulsion

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.

*pel- (beat) Proto-Indo-European compellen Middle English compellir Middle French compello Latin

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# compel

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /kəmˈpɛl/
**Frequency rank:** 17672

## Meanings
1. To force someone to do something.
2. To make something seem necessary or strongly motivate it.

## Examples
- The new rules compel all drivers to wear seatbelts.
- The gripping story compelled me to keep reading until dawn.

## Derived Forms
- compellable
- compellation
- compelled
- compellence
- compeller
- compelling
- recompel

## Related Forms
- compulsion

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *pel- (beat)
- Root: compellen
- Root: compellir
- Root: compello

## 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.

## AI Etymology
Compel is from Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan. Important historical forms include Proto-Indo-European *pel- (beat), Middle English compellen, Middle French compellir, and Latin compello. In present-day use, it can mean to force someone to do something, or to make something seem necessary or strongly motivate it. Derived formations include compellable, compellation, compelled, compellence, compeller.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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compel

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