compel

compel — verb

1. to use your authority, the law, or a situation to make someone do something even

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to use your authority, the law, or a situation to make someone do something even when they do not want to do it.

Example

The law compels all drivers to wear seat belts while driving.

compel + object + to-infinitive (legal requirement)

Heavy rain compelled the climbers to abandon their attempt on the summit.

compel + object + to-infinitive (external circumstance)

Common collocations
  • compel someone to do something
  • be compelled to (by law / by circumstances)
  • compel obedience
  • compel compliance
Synonyms
  • force

    more general and can include physical strength; less formal than compel.

  • oblige

    slightly gentler than compel, often suggesting a sense of duty rather than pressure.

  • coerce

    stronger than compel, implying threat or violence is involved.

Antonyms
  • allow

    to let someone do what they choose.

  • permit

    to give official permission for something.

Grammar Patterns

compel + object + to-infinitive

compel + object

be compelled to + verb

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice: 'be compelled to do something'. The subject is often a law, rule, person in authority, or a difficult situation. Common in formal, legal, and academic writing.

Common Mistakes

The manager compelled him signing the contract.
The manager compelled him to sign the contract.
compel requires a to-infinitive after the object, not a gerund.
The new rules compelled to cancel the event.
The new rules compelled the organisers to cancel the event.
compel always needs an object; you must say who or what is being forced.

2. to make a particular feeling, reaction, or response arise naturally in people, t

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to make a particular feeling, reaction, or response arise naturally in people, typically because of someone's actions, character, or a work of art.

Example

Her courage in the face of danger compels our deepest admiration.

compel + abstract noun (admiration)

The documentary compels viewers to think differently about plastic waste.

compel + object + to-infinitive (intellectual reaction)

Common collocations
  • compel admiration
  • compel respect
  • compel attention
  • compel interest
Synonyms
  • evoke

    more neutral and common; does not carry the same sense of irresistible force.

  • command

    stronger than compel; used in fixed phrases like 'command respect' or 'command attention'.

  • elicit

    more formal, often used for responses or reactions to specific actions.

Antonyms
  • discourage

    to make someone less willing to do something or feel something.

  • suppress

    to stop a feeling or reaction from being shown.

Grammar Patterns

compel + abstract noun

compel + object + to-infinitive

Usage Note

The object is almost always an abstract noun such as admiration, respect, attention, or interest, or a person followed by a to-infinitive. Rare in everyday conversation; more typical of written reviews, literary criticism, and formal speeches.

Common Mistakes

The music compelled me.
The music compelled my attention.
In this sense, compel usually needs an explicit abstract noun to say what feeling is produced.