IMPELLING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

impelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in compelling

Related Words

Relevance

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

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

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

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

When rolling, it is recommended to run the pasta through a pasta machine at the thickest setting first, then fold the pasta strip over itself into 3 thicknesses and repeat, before moving down a setting.

— Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Though one of the youngest in the field, Bullock carried herself with veteranlike focus, moving through her routine with confidence.

— Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 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

With their slender, metallic green bodies and prominent black eyes, emerald ash borers have a striking, jewel-like appearance.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
Those are some of the striking examples of observational register, one that uses tactical distance, sound, slowness and associative montage to convey pain without resorting to the evidentiary shock of graphic imagery.

— Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of striking

Verb

New York City is activating its heat and flash flood emergency plans for Thursday and Friday due to dangerous temperatures and storms in the forecast.

— Katie Houlis, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Beyond sleep, tai chi helps lower blood pressure by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the network of nerves that relaxes the body after stress or danger.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

Browse Nearby Words

impelled

impelling

impels

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of impelling

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on impelling

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes