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
  • 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
  • Platner’s accomplishment came as democratic socialism was enjoying a conspicuous run of electoral victories.
    — Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • 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
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
  • Rand Paul, in particular, seems bent on getting Fauci prosecuted for allegedly bribing and coercing intelligence officials to aid in his cover-up.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
  • While appearing to regulate I-9 compliance, its core purpose is to prevent employers from coercing or intimidating vulnerable workers by confiscating or retaining their IDs.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 27 July 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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Cite this Entry

“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impelling

Nglish: Translation of impelling for Spanish Speakers

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