Synonyms of compels

compels

verb

present tense third-person singular of compel

as in obligates

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obligates
• coerces
• obliges
• forces
• drives
• impels
• constrains
• pressures
• impresses
• intimidates
• makes
• blackmails
• presses
• muscles
• bullies
• threatens
• dragoons
• sandbags
• twists one's arm
• drags
• browbeats
• shames
• cows
• terrorizes
• blackjacks
• bulldozes
• hectors
• high-pressures
• menaces
• harasses
• badgers
• hounds

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allows
• permits
• lets
• argues
• induces
• moves
• satisfies
• prevails (on or upon)
• wins (over)
• convinces
• persuades
• talks (into)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compels

Frank’s ruling keeps the proposal to raise the homestead exemption up to $250,000 for Florida property owners on the ballot, but compels Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite parts of the plan. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026

The competitive pressure to achieve maximal adoption compels a convergence toward openness. — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Odysseus’ curiosity, meanwhile, compels him to stay and learn of the cave’s inhabitant. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Every drop hits like a quake, and each muscular beat compels you to shake your ass. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026

When systemic failures persist, lawsuits are the catalyst that compels meaningful reform and protects children who cannot protect themselves. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

This landmark measure compels our counties and municipalities to remain politically responsive to the people who live there. — Anthony G. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026

That started to change with the 2023 Right to Read law, which compels districts to use K-3 literacy curricula aligned with the science of reading. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

This pattern may persist until a major tragedy or systemic shock finally compels the continent’s principal powers to negotiate a new security order. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026