impel

im·pel

verb \im-ˈpel\

im·pelledim·pel·ling

Definition of IMPEL

transitive verb

1

: to urge or drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong moral pressure : force <felt impelled to correct the misconception>

2

: to impart motion to : propel

Examples of IMPEL

1. His interest in the American Civil War impelled him to make repeated visits to Gettysburg.
2. She felt impelled to give a speech after the performance.

Origin of IMPEL

Middle English impellen, from Latin impellere, from in- + pellere to drive — more at felt

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to IMPEL

Synonyms: actuate, drive, move, propel, work

Related Words: activate, motivate, provoke; abet, ferment, foment, incite, raise, stir (up), whip (up); set off, trigger, trip; arouse, excite, fire (up), galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, instigate, rouse, stimulate

Near Antonyms: bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at move

Rhymes with IMPEL

band shell, barbell, Becquerel, Blackwell, bluebell, bombshell, bridewell, cadelle, cartel, chandelle, Chanel, clamshell, compel, cormel, cornel, corral, cowbell, cupel, diel, dispel, doorbell, dry cell, dry well, dumbbell, duxelles, ear shell, eggshell, excel, expel, farewell, fat cell, foretell, fuel cell, gazelle, germ cell, Glaspell, gromwell, groundswell, half shell, handbell, hard sell, hard-shell, harebell, hotel, indwell, inkwell, Jarrell, jurel, Kandel, lampshell, lapel, Mandel, marcel, maxwell, Maxwell, micelle, misspell, morel, motel, nacelle, nerve cell, Nobel, noel, nouvelle, nutshell, oil well, Orel, Orwell, outsell, pall-mall, Parnell, pastel, pell-mell, pixel, pointelle, Ponselle, presell, propel, quenelle, rakehell, rappel, Ravel, rebel, refel, repel, respell, retell, riel, rondel, Roswell, saurel, scalpel, seashell, sequel, sleigh bell, soft sell, soft-shell, solgel, speedwell, spinel, stairwell, star shell, stem cell, tooth shell, unsell, unwell, upwell, wind-bell