# compelled

/kəmˈpɛɫd/ (US) · /kəmpˈɛld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compelled
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. forced by authority

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to be forced to do something because of a rule, a law, or a person with power.

For teachers: to be forced or constrained by an external authority, legal requirement, or irresistible power. This form is the past participle of the transitive verb.

- The company was compelled by law to reveal how much pollution it produced.
- Under the terms of the new treaty, the signatory nations were compelled to reduce their carbon emissions by twenty percent within the decade.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice followed by an infinitive ('to' + verb).

### 2. driven by a strong feeling

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling that you must do something because of a very strong emotion or need.

For teachers: driven by an irresistible inner impulse or a powerful emotional necessity.

- He felt compelled to help the stray dog after seeing how thin it was.
- Despite the personal risks involved, the journalist felt compelled to return to the conflict zone to document the humanitarian crisis.

Usage: Commonly follows the linking verb 'feel'.

## Examples

- The witness felt compelled to tell the truth in court.
- Under the new safety regulations, the company was compelled to upgrade all its machinery immediately.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.