IMPELLING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

impelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in compelling

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impelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impel

as in driving

to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in forcing

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 impelling

Verb

This is a very forward-impelling perspective to come to. — Elizabeth Mata, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impelling

Adjective

My preference is for trips that combine these highlight destinations with lesser known, but perhaps more compelling places.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
According to Fleming, Washington understood that institutional survival depends on relationships, persuasion, strategy, and a compelling account of what an institution could accomplish.

— Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of compelling

Verb

His top priorities include driving economic growth, creating well-paying jobs, and expanding opportunities for both union and non-union workers.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Ballout was suspected of driving a van into a crowd near Berlin’s Pride festival Saturday night before apparently stabbing others with a machete in what authorities believe was an Islamic extremist terror attack.

— Geir Moulson, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

The broader shortage has lifted chip companies worldwide — Micron reported a 15-fold increase in quarterly profits last month — while forcing retailers to hike prices for cars and mobile phones, among others.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 27 July 2026
Sharp declines can trigger a margin call, forcing investors to either deposit additional cash or sell holdings—potentially at worse prices.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 27 July 2026

Definition of forcing

Adjective

Jeffries has refrained from criticizing the new DSA congressional nominees despite their conspicuous refusal to endorse him for the speakership.

— James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
By giving Helen a conspicuous scar, Nolan shows that even the most coveted woman on the planet is not immune to mankind’s brutality.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Definition of conspicuous

Verb

Spence, 36, makes his return after a nearly three-year layoff and a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford, moving up two divisions into hostile territory.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
That’s the tricky balance Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy must navigate moving forward.

— Nick Friedell, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Definition of moving

Verb

Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026

Definition of coercing

Adjective

Even so, most visitors can get striking views of the swamp’s remarkable beauty and wildlife from boat routes, hiking paths, biking trails and auto tours in different parts of the swamp.

— Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
Psychologists identified a striking disconnect between Boukamp's intellectual abilities and his social functioning.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of striking

Verb

Erlich’s installations remain incomplete until visitors enter them, activating the works through their own movement, curiosity and participation.

— Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
Stewart grabs the ring activating it, before the car crashes in the canyon below.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 24 July 2026

Definition of activating

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“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impelling

adjective

verb

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