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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forced
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compelled
Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Early on while writing this essay, I was compelled by the idea of translation as a test of my allegiances, just like the student’s question.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
At the same time, a continent with a dismal history of exploitation by Western corporations is once again compelled by circumstances to rely upon one such corporation.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
But rather than giving up on the complicated plot and letting the rock score by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA wash over him, Strong was compelled to do something about it.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
China will likely be compelled to deepen ties with other markets, said Taimur Baig, chief economist at DBS Bank, potentially offering greater access to its trading partners.
—Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Weah’s presence as the right wingback also compelled Pochettino to tweak the shape in possession.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Sarandos said he was compelled by stop motion animation because of the fact that everything is handmade.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
With Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen for the face, you’ll be compelled to apply a layer of the stuff every single day like clockwork.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Both transgender and non-transgender students can be put in uncomfortable positions when someone is compelled to use a restroom that doesn’t match their outward gender presentation.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Early on while writing this essay, I was compelled by the idea of translation as a test of my allegiances, just like the student’s question.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
At the same time, a continent with a dismal history of exploitation by Western corporations is once again compelled by circumstances to rely upon one such corporation.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
But rather than giving up on the complicated plot and letting the rock score by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA wash over him, Strong was compelled to do something about it.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
China will likely be compelled to deepen ties with other markets, said Taimur Baig, chief economist at DBS Bank, potentially offering greater access to its trading partners.
—Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
Weah’s presence as the right wingback also compelled Pochettino to tweak the shape in possession.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Sarandos said he was compelled by stop motion animation because of the fact that everything is handmade.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
With Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen for the face, you’ll be compelled to apply a layer of the stuff every single day like clockwork.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelled
Verb
-
Aidan Hutchinson forced another fumble.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The anger mirrors recent protests against ruling elites in countries including Nepal, where the prime minister was forced to resign last month, and Morocco.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Winters writes that this initial system of coerced labor didn’t go very well for the elites.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Like Netflix's popular 2015 docuseries Making a Murderer, The Yogurt Shop Murders explores unethical interrogation tactics used by law enforcement and questions of coerced confessions.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When a fiction writer writes fiction, they’re obliged to announce it as such.—
Vauhini Vara,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
-
For 14 years, and three different locations, Babette has obliged Berkeley diners with its creative-yet-comforting farm-to-table cuisine.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Marcus Performing Arts Center's parking structure needs major repairs to stay open — and center executives say the City of Milwaukee is legally obligated to help pay for that work.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Taxpayers were obligated to pay taxes due on April 15, 2025, to avoid penalties and interest.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Traffic stops represent the most common nonvoluntary interaction between citizens and police officers in the U.S.—
Derek Epp,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2023
-
Of the 59 CEOs who departed S&P 500 firms last year, 30.5% were let go on a nonvoluntary basis, up from 22.1% in 2017, according to the Conference Board's 2019 CEO Succession Practices report.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Compelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelled. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share