Synonyms of impel

impel

verb

im-ˈpel 

1

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion

gasoline impels a car's engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drive
• move
• activate
• propel
• actuate
• stimulate
• work
• motivate
• provoke
• trigger
• incite
• raise
• abet
• foment
• inspire
• excite
• arouse
• rouse
• stir (up)
• galvanize
• ferment
• whip (up)
• set off
• instigate
• inflame
• fire (up)
• trip
• enflame

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrain
• regulate
• contain
• inhibit
• constrain
• control
• check
• curb
• rein (in)
• bridle

2

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compel
• force
• coerce
• obligate
• oblige
• drive
• constrain
• pressure
• impress
• intimidate
• make
• muscle
• blackmail
• press
• dragoon
• bully
• sandbag
• threaten
• blackjack
• browbeat
• twist one's arm
• bulldoze
• terrorize
• hector
• drag
• cow
• menace
• shame
• harass
• high-pressure
• badger
• hound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• allow
• permit
• induce
• move
• convince
• satisfy
• argue
• persuade
• talk (into)
• win (over)
• prevail (on or upon)

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

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

Eric Arthur Blair, who took the pen name George Orwell, was impelled to write by a keen awareness of injustice and a need to expose lies. —Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 17 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

As in the current war, the aim was to split the Russian elite by impelling those afraid of sanctions to press Putin to reconsider his politics. —Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2023