compelverb/kəmˈpɛl/

• 1

  archaicTo drive together, round up.

  • The shepherds compelled the stray sheep into the fold as night began to fall.
• 2

  To overpower; to subdue.

  • She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.
• 3

  To force, constrain, or coerce.

  • Logic compels the wise, while fools feel compelled by emotions.
  • Congratulations, your courage compels respect.
• 4

  To forcefully or powerfully motivate (a course of action).

  • As the novel progresses, it picks up a propulsive energy, the kind that compels you to keep reading straight through to the end.
• 5

  To have a strong, irresistible force (on someone or something).

• 6

  To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.

  • Commissions, which compel from each / The sixth part of his substance.
  • The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel order.
• 7

  obsoleteTo force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.

  • Easy sleep their weary limbs compell'd.
  • And I will fetch you forage from all fields, / For I compel all creatures to my will.
• 8

  obsoleteTo gather or unite in a crowd or company.

  • in one troop compell'd