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
  • The main event between top babyfaces Rhodes and Punk, while a compelling narrative, highlighted a repetitive formula of popular heroes clashing for world titles.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • While a league title may still represent a step too far, there is a compelling case that the Blues have a chance in the domestic cup competitions as Alonso begins building his new side.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • Jones is accused of committing nine offenses against the man, including kissing him multiple times without consent and touching the man’s genitals while the man was driving.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Still, analysts warned that the coordinated action may prove no more durable than previous interventions unless Japan addresses the structural forces driving yen weakness.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • Now sitting in Dallas and forcing myself to watch Joker 2, that was bad.
    — Chris Stanton, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • As recently as 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through Florida weeks before Election Day, damaging 25 polling places and forcing a reduction of these centers.
    — Jonathan Webber, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Adjective
  • On the other, an Iranian supreme leader whose absence is conspicuous while his nation is locked in a military and diplomatic standoff that could define the future of the Middle East.
    — Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Tying with Kanye is Chappell Roan — the only act in the anger top ten that doesn’t overlap in the hip-hop world and one of the study’s most conspicuous inclusions.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of conspicuous
Verb
  • That includes the recent NXT call-up of Ricky Saints as well as Raw stars Finn Balor and Gunther moving over to Friday nights.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Fairview Fire was estimated at about 979 acres and remains a fast-moving threat, according to firefighters.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 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
  • The Rodrigo Flower Bouquet is a 400-piece set built around a striking purple flower made from electric guitars.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Max Verstappen’s emergence as a 17-year-old in 2015 was striking, yet he wasn’t joined by many others the same age.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking
Verb
  • The Royals considered activating Witt on Friday before their game at the Colorado Rockies.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • In the Character Wheel, the eleven dimensions are integrated, each activating and restraining the others.
    — Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 31 July 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impelling

Nglish: Translation of impelling for Spanish Speakers

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