Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

impel

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of impel

1 to set or keep in motion
  • gasoline impels a carʼs engine
Synonyms of impel

actuate, drive, move, propel, work
Words Related to impel

activate, motivate, provoke

abet, ferment, foment, incite, raise, stir (up), whip (up)

set off, trigger, trip

arouse, excite, fire (up), galvanize, inflame (also enflame), inspire, instigate, rouse, stimulate
Near Antonyms of impel

bridle, check, constrain, contain, control, curb, inhibit, regulate, rein (in), restrain
2 to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
  • I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be
Synonyms of impel

blackjack, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, drive, force, impress, make, muscle, obligate, oblige, press, pressure, sandbag
Words Related to impel

browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow, hector, intimidate

blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, threaten

drag

badger, harass, hound
Phrases Synonymous with impel

twist one's arm
Near Antonyms of impel

allow, let, permit

argue, convince, induce, move, persuade, prevail (on or upon), satisfy, talk (into), win (over)

Synonym Discussion of impel

move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.
    • moved the furniture
actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.
    • turbines actuated by waterpower
drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.
    • a ship driven aground by hurricane winds
impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.
    • a candidate impelled by ambition

Learn More about impel

  1. See words that rhyme with impel Dictionary: Definition of impel Spanish Central: Translation of impel Nglish: Translation of impel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of impel for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up impel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

hoopla

excited commotion or publicity

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. crosshair Roger Stone posts controversial photo

  2. feckless Former RNC chair derides Trump

  3. emergency, national emergency Trump declares crisis over wall

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games