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 Takashi Shimura beautifully portrays Kanji Watanabe, an aging bureaucrat with stomach cancer who is impelled to find meaning in his final days. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 9 June 2025 The language of the play moves freely from the declamatory to the profane, with some of its funniest moments occurring when fury impels a character to unleash some naughty modern vernacular. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 There is also a wider danger that handing Vladimir Putin a victory in taking over the rich Black Sea region of Crimea will impel him to seize more sections of Ukraine in the future, and inspire other expansionist powers to launch their own wars of conquest. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 As in the current war, the aim was to split the Russian elite by impelling those afraid of sanctions to press Putin to reconsider his politics. Alexander Baunov, Foreign Affairs, 3 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • While OpenAI says that scaling is key to driving innovation and future AI breakthroughs, investors and analysts are beginning to raise their eyebrows over the mindboggling sums.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2025
  • And entertainment, in my opinion, drives fashion culture.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The hostility escalated to such a degree that the PGA of America was compelled to increase security around the group.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • In a statement shared with The Guardian, a spokesperson for Ferguson said the duchess felt compelled to send the email after Epstein allegedly threatened to sue her for defamation over her comments to the Standard.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The traffic itself generally keeps moving rather than fully stopping.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Univisión moved the Premios Juventud to Panama and the Latin Grammys to Las Vegas, after hosting the 2024 event here.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The event comes as the government is careening toward a potential shutdown that could force some 2 million troops to work without pay if a spending bill doesn't pass Congress by midnight Wednesday.
    Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Modern inkjets, including ink tank printers, will rarely force you to spend time cleaning with manual commands.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Any of these games will qualify to activate your preferred reward from bet365.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Queen of the Dead then reappears as human Wanda in an attempt to coerce the teen into helping her.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Other charges dismissed as part of an April plea agreement included two counts of persuading or coercing a minor to engage in prostitution.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The chess match continued moments later, propelled by Xaverian quarterback Will Wood.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Maybe this is the flip side of – or payback for – October of 2024, when the Dodgers’ starting pitching was decimated but the work of their bullpen propelled them to a World Series championship.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In this case, October benefits are obligated in September.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • One is filing a complaint with the DOT, which it is obligated to investigate (at least, for now).
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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