Synonyms of compelled

compelled 1 of 2

adjective

as in forced

Related Words

• forced
• coerced
• unwilled
• nonvoluntary
• involuntary
• enforced
• will-less
• compulsory
• mandatory
• required
• necessary
• ordered
• obligatory
• nonelective

Dissimilar Words

• willing
• voluntary
• volunteer
• volitional
• optional
• discretionary
• uncoerced
• elective
• unforced
• self-imposed
• spontaneous
• instinctive
• freewill
• impulsive
• unpremeditated

compelled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compel

as in obliged

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forced
• obliged
• obligated
• coerced
• drove
• pressured
• impelled
• constrained
• pressed
• intimidated
• impressed
• blackmailed
• dragooned
• made
• bullied
• muscled
• sandbagged
• blackjacked
• threatened
• cowed
• hectored
• browbeat
• dragged
• shamed
• badgered
• twisted one's arm
• menaced
• terrorized
• bulldozed
• harassed
• hounded
• high-pressured

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• allowed
• permitted
• convinced
• moved
• induced
• satisfied
• argued
• won (over)
• persuaded
• talked (into)
• prevailed (on or upon)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compelled

Adjective

The second argument made by the DOJ was a First Amendment argument, specifically what is called compelled speech. — Stefani Langehennig, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

True personal data sovereignty requires systems that make compelled access technically impossible, not merely contractually discouraged. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Verb

But many in the party have felt compelled to embrace parts of his ideology. — Jack Herrera, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2026

Those on the inside were initially compelled to make fun of it. — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

This has compelled Dylan’s record label to release several copyright-protection packages in the past, though some of them were under-the-radar discs available in just a handful of record stores. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

This expensive experiment failed long ago, but the Browns felt compelled to double down again. — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

What compelled you to form Anarchists United Foundation and Anarchists United Studios? — Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

There will always be meaningful stories to tell, people compelled to tell them, and audiences eager to experience them. — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026

As Sportico explained last week, the conference contends that it and the other 15 member schools should not be compelled to associate with a school that plays athletes who are in violation of conference eligibility rules. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2026

One subpoena demanded Black produce nondisclosure agreements and other documents, while the other compelled him to return for a deposition before the committee. — Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026