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

• actuate
• drive
• move
• propel
• work

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

There simply was not an apparent burning platform to compel leadership to alter course—or to impel stakeholders to align on a new vision for the future. —Paul Laudicina, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Creating Equitable Opportunities For Learners Everywhere The intersection of technology and education is one of the most compelling areas to impel social and economic development. —Haroldo Jacobovicz, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Wayne Cornelius, an immigration scholar at the University of California, San Diego, has found that bleak job prospects are most likely to impel undocumented immigrants to leave. —Miriam Jordan, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

That didn’t impel the NFL to change the overtime rule, which at the time said a game ends if a team scores a touchdown in the extra period. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025

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