IMPELS Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

impels

verb

present tense third-person singular of impel

as in drives

to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine

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as in compels

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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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 impels And so, our mission – grounded in both truth and love – impels us to discern the motives that shape events, and the shifts in thought that drive human progress through higher ideals of justice, mercy, and wisdom. — Christa Case Bryant, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impels

Verb

There is little reason to believe that a careful weighing of risk and benefit really drives interest in Colossal’s de-extinction efforts.

— Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
During his winter drives up Interstate 80 toward Lake Tahoe, Sean Bigley keeps his eyes peeled.

— Corey Schmidt July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of drives

Verb

The piece is over before the mental picture really develops, which only compels me to start it over again.

— Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026
Further, since a charging order compels an LLC to re-direct distribution payments to the creditor, the appeals court further mused that such was enough to create standing since the LLCs needed to know who to pay.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of compels

Verb

Instead of using a remote or control panel, the player moves into position and signals with a simple hand gesture for the ball, and the AI biometrics locate and pinpoint the player position.

— Shirl Leigh July 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026
This recent flight, announced this week, confirmed the drone’s flight controls and performance as the program moves closer to carrier use.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

Definition of moves

Verb

Will’s obsessive, put-upon mother, Susan (Tandi Wright), belittles Alice, dresses her down for her attire at the funeral, and forces her to wear heels that don’t fit, leaving her feet bloody.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
This system forces new buyers to shoulder a much higher tax rate, which effectively locks young and minority families out of the housing market.

— Dale V.C. Holness, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of forces

Verb

People respond positively to hearing their own names—according to a study from the Institute for the Study of Child Development, hearing one’s name activates the left hemisphere of the brain.

— Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Honest sharing rises as the dynamic Sun activates your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, making clarity around money, time, and emotional investment more valuable.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2026

Definition of activates

Verb

However, the rotation of this filament clearly dominates how the galaxies within it spin, perhaps by funneling hydrogen gas along the dark-matter filament and onto the galaxies in a way that coerces their spin while providing further fuel for star formation.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Dec. 2025
Haunted by the suspicious death of his ailing mother, Ali, a university professor, coerces his enigmatic gardener to execute a cold-blooded act of vengeance.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2025

Definition of coerces

Verb

The system uses the firm’s Prometheus electromagnetic accelerator that propels test materials through simulated weather.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026
The ship’s engine propels it when wind conditions are poor, giving the crew more control over its port schedule.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of propels

Verb

The Montreux Convention obligates Turkey to allow commercial ships freedom of passage, but allows the country to charge for some specific things, including sanitary, pilotage, towage and lighthouse services.

— Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026
The automotive groups accused Volkswagen of violating a standard dealer agreement, which obligates the company to sell its products through authorized dealerships.

— Chase Jordan May 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026

Definition of obligates

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impelling

impels

impend

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“Impels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impels. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of impels

verb

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