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 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 Our faith had recklessly impelled us toward a commitment that faith alone could not sustain. Terry Nguyen july 23, Literary Hub, 23 July 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
  • The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Fortune reports on air traffic controllers who are driving for Uber and DoorDash to make ends meet.
    Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rivera, who left Mexico at 18, is one of a growing number of people compelled to self-deport out of fear of arrest and detention.
    Laura Romero, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Her lawyers say that the gravity of the allegations against her have compelled her to seek asylum.
    Aida Alami, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Green’s 49-yard run scramble moved the Razorbacks to the Texas A&M 39 just before the 2-minute timeout of the fourth quarter.
    Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Calderhead focuses on the British tactic, enacted two days after the initial attack, of moving their fleet into Flushing Bay to anchor for the night.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Tunnels story is that Chinese immigrants built a network of tunnels under the city because they were forced to live underground; the tunnels were then used by gangsters and bootleggers, including Al Capone.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Delta said the disruption forced it to cancel more than 5,000 flights and cost it more than $500 million in revenue and compensation for passengers, among other expenses.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman were activated, with Denzel starting and making the first tackle.
    Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a free society, the government provides broad media access and doesn’t try to coerce reporters into providing only favorable coverage.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Our federal government is coercing institutions to follow its dictates on student admissions, curriculum and programs.
    George R. Boggs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Government investment into cultural initiatives, especially in Saudi Arabia, which is in the throes of its economic diversification plan, Vision 2030, is also propelling new talents onto the international scene.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This, combined with Uchis’ refusal to compromise her bilingual identity — exemplified by 2020’s Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), her first album entirely in Spanish, and her decision to alternate between languages on subsequent albums — has propelled her journey.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Each state signed up to the ICC is obligated to arrest and surrender a fugitive found in their territory.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The United States is obligated by its own laws to give military support to Taiwan, which split from China in 1949 during a civil war.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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