Word
compel
Phoneticscom·pel, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpɛɫ/
UK/kəmpˈɛl/
Definitions
01to force someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to force someone to do something, often by using a law, a rule, or a strong request.
v. to force, constrain, or coerce an individual to perform an action, often through legal or moral obligation.
“The new law will compel companies to disclose how much waste they produce.”
“The court order will compel the defendant to produce the financial records that were previously withheld during the discovery phase.”
02to cause a reaction
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to make something happen because it is so strong or interesting that you cannot ignore it.
v. to elicit or necessitate a particular feeling, reaction, or course of action through an irresistible influence.
“The evidence was so strong that it compelled the jury to change their minds.”
“The speaker's eloquence was such that it compelled immediate attention from even the most cynical members of the audience.”
03to drive together
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
v. to force people or animals to move together into one group.
v. to drive together or round up; to gather by force.
“The soldiers sought to compel the villagers into the central square.”
“In the epic poem, the shepherd is described as compelling his scattered flock toward the safety of the fold before the storm broke.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “compel” in context.
Verb
01. compel obedience
“The new regime used strict laws and military presence to compel obedience from the citizens.”
verb + noun
02. compel the witness to testify
“The judge issued a subpoena to compel the witness to testify in court.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. feel compelled to act
“After seeing the injustice, she felt compelled to act immediately.”
verb + adj + infinitive
Adverb
04. legally compel the company
“The regulatory body has the power to legally compel the company to disclose its financial records.”
adv + verb + noun
05. virtually compel a response
“The provocative nature of the article will virtually compel a response from the scientific community.”
adv + verb + noun
Usage
The verb is transitive and typically follows the pattern 'compel someone to do something'.
Pitfall
The rain compelled me staying inside
The rain compelled me to stay inside
Compel requires the to-infinitive when followed by an object and a second verb.
Real-World Examples
“But Trump has no authority to rename Canada’s portion of the lake, nor to compel Canada, international legal bodies, international mapmakers, or the rest of the world to adopt a new name.” “The states are also asking the court to compel the company to promote the wellbeing of its users and set time restrictions for its youngest consumers.” Etymology
From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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