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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
  • How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This involves understanding and speaking the client's language, translating complex technology into tangible business outcomes, and delivering compelling presentations.
    — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • Economists can debate whether a top-15 economy should morph itself into a giant leveraged bet on the AI trade, one now driving growth to new highs rather than simply riding alongside it.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Jones wanted to show that despite her stern attitude with John and forcing him to grow up, her love for her child always comes through.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • However, analysts warn that the plans will likely take years to come to fruition, forcing countries to seek immediate alternatives elsewhere.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Adjective
  • For one thing, there’s that conspicuous six-page feature on Zara chair Marta Ortega Pérez — the 42-year-old daughter of 90-year-old founder Amancio Ortega — in Vogue‘s September issue.
    — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Trump’s approval ratings tanked, and the ICE surges into American cities were replaced by less conspicuous methods.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspicuous
Verb
  • But at this point, many SEC administrators would rather find out by getting a win or by losing and then moving forward with that knowledge.
    — Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The storm, now moving west-northwest at just 5 mph, is forecast to turn northward to north-northeastward with an increase in forward speed Sunday and Monday, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of moving
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
  • The Republican turn against data centers is more striking because experts say that the party has positioned itself as pro-business.
    — Maham Javaid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • With interiors largely shot inside Hossain’s own house in Dhaka, the film is filled with striking shots of animals — lizards galore, snakes, monkeys, and mosquitoes.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 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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Cite this Entry

“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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