ENGLISH
REFERENCE

compelled

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //kəmˈpɛɫd// UK //kəmpˈɛld// com·pelled

v. forced to do something because of a law, a rule, or a very strong feeling. You feel like you have no other choice but to act.

v. the past tense and past participle of 'compel', meaning to force or oblige someone to perform an action. Often used in the passive voice to indicate that external circumstances or internal moral pressures have removed the possibility of refusal.


SIMPLE

The witness felt compelled to tell the truth in court.

CONTEXTUAL

Under the new safety regulations, the company was compelled to upgrade all its machinery immediately.

COMPLEX

Though he had no legal obligation to assist, his conscience felt so deeply compelled by the family's plight that he donated his entire inheritance to their cause.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive; when used in the passive voice, it is typically followed by a 'to'-infinitive.

Pitfall

He was compelled doing it.He was compelled to do it.The verb 'compel' requires a 'to'-infinitive, not a gerund, when describing the forced action.

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