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

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 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 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 These are questions Li rarely directly poses but which the reader is inevitably impelled to ask. Daphne Merkin, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Powerful domestic pressures impel and constrain both countries’ foreign policy choices. Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2020 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • They are often produced at high volumes, with hundreds of billions of units created yearly, driven by quickly changing trends and tight margins.
    Alyssa Hardy, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • Preventing the spread of marijuana laced with chemicals is one of the driving factors behind Tyson's push for federal reform.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Female clients of mine have also reported feeling compelled to embrace more traditionally feminine roles.
    Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • However, the Supreme Court ruled that lawsuits to compel states to enforce Medicaid law—a federal statute—aren’t valid.
    Essence, Essence, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • Through the soil created by centuries of decomposing plant life, through rocks ground down by shifting rivers and slowly moving mountains.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Frankie Grande was forced to compete alone in a two person Battle of the Block Competition when his teammate Caleb abandoned him and sat out.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 5 July 2025
  • Initially, the plant’s staff was overwhelmed, forcing Motorola to briefly backtrack on its promise to deliver phones to customers within four days.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory.
    Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • Known as the ram air turbine, it can also be manually activated.
    Mika Gröndahl, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • One of the former detectives Dillard accused of helping harass and coerce a witness into testifying was among the Wolverines.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
  • In the end, the evidence came down to how coerced the female victims were.
    Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The duo propelled the decor into the ’50s and ’60s, celebrating the brilliance of Italian masters Giò Ponti, Nanda Vigo, Gae Aulenti and Osvaldo Borsani.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • Equal parts brassy and moody, the theme has become an indelible part of American movie culture, especially as the brand has moved from a mildly popular television series to a wildly successful film juggernaut, propelling both Tom Cruise and Schifrin's catchy tune to eternal stardom.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Judges are not obligated to consider amicus briefs since they are submitted by non-parties.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025
  • The family told the local station that doctors allegedly said they were legally obligated to keep Smith on life support until the fetus was viable.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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