Synonyms of impel

impel

verb

im-ˈpel 

1

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion

gasoline impels a car's engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drive
• move
• activate
• propel
• stimulate
• actuate
• work
• motivate
• provoke
• trigger
• incite
• raise
• inspire
• excite
• arouse
• stir (up)
• rouse
• whip (up)
• set off
• abet
• foment
• fire (up)
• ferment
• galvanize
• trip
• instigate
• inflame

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• restrain
• regulate
• contain
• inhibit
• constrain
• control
• check
• curb
• rein (in)
• bridle

2

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure

I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be

Synonyms & Similar Words

• compel
• force
• coerce
• obligate
• oblige
• drive
• constrain
• pressure
• impress
• intimidate
• make
• muscle
• blackmail
• press
• dragoon
• bully
• sandbag
• threaten
• blackjack
• browbeat
• twist one's arm
• bulldoze
• terrorize
• hector
• drag
• cow
• menace
• shame
• harass
• high-pressure
• badger
• hound

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• let
• allow
• permit
• induce
• move
• convince
• satisfy
• argue
• persuade
• talk (into)
• win (over)
• prevail (on or upon)

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

Recent Examples of impel

Both were impelled to launch ninth-inning pushes to persuade Oscar voters that Shakespeare wasn’t really in love and Private Ryan needed serious saving. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2026

Daniel’s commercial failure as a novelist impelled him to move to Los Angeles to try writing for the movies. —David Kamp, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

While the recent protests were sparked by the social media ban, protesters said that they had been impelled by years of government corruption and failure to provide young people with economic opportunities. —Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Musk told his biographer, Walter Isaacson, that Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. had personally told him the use of Starlink technology by Ukraine’s resistance fighters could impel Moscow to respond with tactical nuclear weapons. —Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025