1
as in drove
to set or keep in motion
gasoline impels a car's engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in compelled
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impelled
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impelled
Verb
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The news of potential negotiations drove down the price of oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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An officer of the Alvarado Police Department drove up, got out of his car, and drew his weapon.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Discussions were had at those meetings, and every single thing that has happened has been compelled by council action.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Your position urging Broward County to choose resiliency over regret reflected exactly why so many residents felt compelled to speak up.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Detroit, coming off a 3-2 loss to Ottawa on Tuesday, snapped a two-game skid and moved into a tie in points with the Senators for ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings — and a point back of the New York Islanders.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Toyota has also moved recently to discount its existing bZ electric crossover SUV.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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But Broidy’s suit received tremendous publicity, driving away all of Global Risk’s clients, even the Qataris, and Chalker was forced to lay off its entire staff.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Saturday’s victory propelled Illinois to its first Final Four since 2005.—
Gary Bedore
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
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In addition, the volume of rock removed during the Katmai collapse was almost exactly equal to the volume of rock propelled from Novarupta.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Singh, however, argued that Jones was not coerced but fearful of the consequences.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
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Our university’s institutional review board approved our procedures, making sure Chris was safe and not coerced in any way.—
David Hu,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Specialized units were activated and police generally tried to maintain order.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2026
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Officers tried to do a traffic stop on the 2002 Jeep Cherokee with emergency lights and sirens activated, but the suspect continued southbound on Gratiot Avenue at speeds exceeding 100 mph, prosecutors said.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Present and correct, just in smaller quantities than previously, and now obliged to make polite conversation with Alexandra Champalimaud’s additions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
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The difference is that, while Carolyn struggles to define herself against expectation, John has always obliged expectation.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impelled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelled. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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