compelverb [ T ]
uk/kəmˈpel/us/kəmˈpel/-ll-to force someone to do something:
[ + to infinitive ] As a schoolboy he was compelled to wear shorts even in winter.
formal The new circumstances compelled a change in policy.
See also
compulsion
formal to produce a strong feeling or reaction:
Over the years her work has compelled universal admiration and trust.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Causing somebody to act
- a kick up the arse/backside idiom
- arm-twisting
- bludgeon
- bounce
- bounce sb into sth
- bulldoze
- forcible
- hold sb to ransom idiom
- impel
- impose
- jolt
- push
- railroad
- screw
- shanghai
- slap sth on/onto (sth/sb)
- squeeze
- squeeze sth out of sb
- trap
- wring sth from/out of sb
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Causing things to happen