IMPELLING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

impelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in compelling

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Dissimilar Words

impelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impel

as in driving

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The technologies exist, and the economics are increasingly compelling.

— Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
United are far from exhilarating, far from compelling and better duly, belatedly, narrowly arrives, which ensures that Moyes is pleased, but with a caveat.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of compelling

Verb

After driving for a touchdown on their opening drive, the Wolverines didn’t score again until Buchanan snagged Underwood’s pass amid a crowd of defenders in the end zone.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Yet too many adults focus on winning and chasing college scholarships, driving up the costs for families and pressure on children to specialize in one sport and succeed.

— Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

The air pollution has also affected several areas on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, forcing schools to suspend learning activities at school.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Drones launched from Iraq damaged the East-West pipeline on Thursday, forcing the Saudi government to close the key crude oil artery.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of forcing

Adjective

When Nabers was sidelined, the Giants had a conspicuous lack of offensive game-wreckers, and Dart was routinely out-gunned.

— Andy Behrens, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Tina Weymouth, Talking Heads Play There have been a conspicuous number of great punk and alternative bands whose only female member played bass, including Sonic Youth, the Pixies, the Smashing Pumpkins, Black Flag, and Superchunk.

— Al Shipley, SPIN, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of conspicuous

Verb

Playing that cat, a work camp warden coercing Hawke’s character into smuggling gold through the wilderness, is none other than Russell Crowe.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of coercing

Adjective

Roman design studio Roselli Architetti was enlisted to restore it into one building without forgetting its history; the result is a striking design that blends ancient artifacts with retro midcentury flooring and contemporary furnishings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
While eight of these cases were in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, a striking 95 occurred in Hillsborough County, where mosquito control teams are working overtime and ramping up spraying.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of striking

Verb

This has included pumping water from the Sea of Galilee, activating groundwater wells and using national water reserves.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The Athletic reported on Sunday that Mateta was in dispute with Palace over the final year of his contract, which is set to expire next summer, with Palace activating an option to extend his deal by a further year last December.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

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impelled

impelling

impels

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Style

“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impelling

adjective

verb

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