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
  • In some ways, watching this late-career Messi has become just as compelling an experience as watching the one who recorded a quite absurd 91 goals and 22 assists for Barcelona and Argentina in 2012.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • This analysis makes up the most compelling part of the book, which is written in a kind of structureless, hybrid blogger-academic style, and otherwise tends to bog down in confusing digressions.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
Definition of compelling
Verb
  • The war with Iran and renewed closure of the strait aren’t the only factors driving prices higher.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • For Åkerfeldt, there were two competing philosophies driving the band’s music.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026
Definition of driving
Verb
  • In an attempt to prevent the demonstration from entering Gaza,the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared the area a closed military zone, forcing organizers to alter the route.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Rivero must connect those systems without forcing restaurants, wineries and bars into the same operating model.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of forcing
Adjective
  • Voya would plug Morgan Stanley’s conspicuous hole in retirement products.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 July 2026
  • In the fall of 2025 O’Connor was a conspicuous presence in theaters, appearing in no fewer than four films.
    — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Definition of conspicuous
Verb
  • Regena and Frankie Felix went to the hospital ready for the birth of their child, but they were sent home by staff who felt Regena’s labor wasn’t moving along fast enough on Monday, July 13, Fox 10 reported.
    — Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Consider Updating Your Plumbing Just like with lighting, switches, and outlets, many kitchen renovators plan on adding or moving plumbing lines for appliances, pot fillers, and more.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 18 July 2026
Definition of moving
Verb
  • Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2026
  • The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 11 June 2026
Definition of coercing
Adjective
  • Winnie Harlow dons a striking red sheer catsuit at the Tequila Don Julio 1942 Port of Champions x Palm Tree Crew and Mary Lou's event in New York City on July 16.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Robots were assessed on effective striking accuracy, body stability, defensive and evasive performance, and overall durability throughout each bout.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of striking
Verb
  • The second exercise is a double-leg glute bridge and hold, which focuses on activating those hamstrings and glutes — both essential muscles in supporting acceleration and top speed.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Those launches were successful, but ground teams ran into problems activating and commissioning satellites made by York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on impelling

Nglish: Translation of impelling for Spanish Speakers

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