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

With her new job starting Monday, Argyriou and her family felt compelled to get on the road. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Their scouting evaluation, comprehensive enough to unearth the aptitude beneath that bushy head of hair, compelled the team to select Bredeson in the fifth round of the 2026 draft. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

The scientist who is compelled by an unstoppable need to know, despite being aware of the danger, is a familiar trope in sci-fi and horror novels and films. — Carline Tromp, The Dial, 18 Aug. 2026

Years later, after completing a documentary on Marian Anderson, Coburn felt compelled to return to Du Bois and tell his story. — Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Chick stated she felt compelled to stay and work the events out of concern Lieder would retaliate against her, according to the lawsuit. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2026

This compelled the company to use a Chinese AI model to defend against the onslaught. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026

Ultimately, if the state steps in with loans, the district would be compelled to cede day-to-day management to an outside caretaker, reducing the district’s board and administration to bystanders. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Ingeborg is regularly compelled to steal things, while Adam is fixated on becoming an object himself. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026