impel

verb

im·​pel im-ˈpel 

impelled; impelling

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

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Impel vs Compel

Impel is very similar in meaning to compel, and often a perfect synonym, though it tends to suggest even more strongly an inner drive to do something and a greater urgency to act, especially for moral reasons. But when impel takes its noun and adjective forms, it changes slightly. So an impulse—such as "impulse buying", when you suddenly see something cool and know you've got to have it—often isn't based on anything very serious. And impulsive behavior in general, such as blurting out something stupid on the spur of the moment, is the kind of thing you're supposed to get over when you grow up.

Synonyms of impel

• drive
• move
• activate
• propel

Choose the Right Synonym for impel

move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion.

move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

Examples of impel in a Sentence

His interest in the American Civil War impelled him to make repeated visits to Gettysburg.

She felt impelled to give a speech after the performance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Early to mid-March could impel you to make a move that wouldn’t improve matters at all, don’t let a negative mindset drive actions. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026

Early to mid-March could impel you to make a move that wouldn’t improve matters at all, so don’t let a negative mindset drive actions. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026

Daniel’s commercial failure as a novelist impelled him to move to Los Angeles to try writing for the movies. — David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

That emotional closeness was one of the driving forces that impelled me to bring this project to the screen in an exercise of deep respect for a complex memory that does not lend itself to simplification. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for impel

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

impel

verb

im·​pel im-ˈpel 

impelled; impelling

: to urge or drive forward or into action

impeller

-ˈpel-ər

noun