Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use actuate instead of impel?

The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When is drive a more appropriate choice than impel?

Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When would move be a good substitute for impel?

The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impel But the 1933 Cuban Revolution impelled his family’s flight from the island, dashing Desi’s hopes of a legal career. Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 To do that, SoFi must be among the small number of public companies that continues to provide upbeat forecasts – as tariff uncertainty impels many public companies to stop offering guidance. Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 These are questions Li rarely directly poses but which the reader is inevitably impelled to ask. Daphne Merkin, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Powerful domestic pressures impel and constrain both countries’ foreign policy choices. Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2020 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • Preventing the spread of marijuana laced with chemicals is one of the driving factors behind Tyson's push for federal reform.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
  • This economic activity drives growth in industries from retail and automotive to housing and hospitality.
    Ana Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • However, the Supreme Court ruled that lawsuits to compel states to enforce Medicaid law—a federal statute—aren’t valid.
    Essence, Essence, 27 June 2025
  • Female clients of mine have also reported feeling compelled to embrace more traditionally feminine roles.
    Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Wales have done well under Wilkinson to move away from a hardened reputation as being Fishlock’s team and become more of a sum of their parts.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • There’s no way to move forward without acknowledging that.
    Cindy Juyoung Ok June 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The shutdowns have caused significant disruptions to regional air traffic and forced airlines to reroute flights.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Fleetwood, just bogeyed the par-3 16th to open the door for Bradley ended up three-putting for bogey, pushing an eight-footer on his second attempt to save par and force a playoff.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory.
    Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • Known as the ram air turbine, it can also be manually activated.
    Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • In some cases, governments even coerce companies into accepting artificially low prices by threatening to violate their patents and allow other manufacturers to produce copycat drugs.
    Rosa Mendoza, Boston Herald, 16 June 2025
  • Geragos has tried to portray Jane as a willing participant in encounters with male escorts and entertainers while Diddy watched, to undermine prosecution claims that she was coerced and trafficked.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Equal parts brassy and moody, the theme has become an indelible part of American movie culture, especially as the brand has moved from a mildly popular television series to a wildly successful film juggernaut, propelling both Tom Cruise and Schifrin's catchy tune to eternal stardom.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • The duo propelled the decor into the ’50s and ’60s, celebrating the brilliance of Italian masters Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • But as a student of history, a patriotic American who flies the flag at my house every day, who keeps a large portrait of George Washington in my living room, I am obligated to do something rather than passively sit by while the unacceptable becomes normalized.
    Doug McIntyre, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
  • No artist is obligated to comment on anything, period.
    Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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