impelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in compelling

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impelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impel
1
as in driving
to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
  1. compelling
  2. driving
  3. forcing
  4. conspicuous
  5. moving
  6. coercing
  7. striking
  8. activating
Adjective
  • That said, together, the synergy of Venus and Pluto can make an attraction feel more compelling, or perhaps a conversation more intimate than usual.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Beyond gaudy numbers and a long scroll of awards and achievements, Nelson was one of the most colorful and compelling coaches to grace the Bay Area in any professional sport.
    — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • These types of conversations help teens feel understood and strengthen trust, while uncovering more about what is really driving the desire to change up their look.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Nearly 30 years to the day that Shakur was gunned down in the passenger seat of a BMW Knight was driving, Davis is accused of murder for allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur in retaliation for a fight.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Courtesy of Atlanta’s defense, the Dream disrupted the Tempo’s offense early, forcing them to struggle getting shots in the paint.
    — Micahya Costen, AJC.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Detectives said the fire erupted from separate ignition points, forcing evacuations at apartment complexes and nearby homes.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Adjective
  • Long-standing favorites like Trap-Jaw, Tri-Klops, and Mer-Man were conspicuous by their absence.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • There, his deft use of crane shots and tracking shots was worked out with conspicuous formalist rigor—exactly nine shots of about the same ten-minute length—to form a portrait of a young writer in Baltimore.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspicuous
Verb
  • The first is, as mentioned, moving up to the A19 Pro from the A18 Pro; the annual cadence for the chipsets will carry over Neo's annual cadence to the MacBook .
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Washington Nationals are moving CJ Abrams to second base in the coming days.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • The losses exceed the number of fresh recruits that Moscow can muster, and Russian authorities are coercing men into signing up.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Anna’s colleague Noa Toussaint (CCH Pounder) follows with a video of Max coercing his mistress into suicide, shattering the narrative that bought his freedom.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of coercing
Adjective
  • Jeffrey’s look flowed beautifully and his design was striking.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Coach Regis Le Bris appears to have quelled that for this summer, citing a lack of other striking options beyond Brian Brobbey in a season where his side have European football to contend with on top of domestic matters.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking
Verb
  • Mercury conjoins Jupiter in Leo and your 3rd House of Communication, activating texts, calls, emails, errands, siblings, neighbors, and local connections.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Gonzalez pushed back on the explanation, warning Calvo that activating the emergency lights could have criminal consequences.
    — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of activating

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Cite this Entry

“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impelling

Nglish: Translation of impelling for Spanish Speakers

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