as in to coerce
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compel
Trump officials claim that Biden didn’t use enough force to compel the Houthis to stop.
—
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
The president's criticism of Berlin has compelled Germany to increase funding for its military forces and infrastructure, which critics say are in a bad state of affairs.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The Annual Credit Report is compelled by federal law to offer free yearly credit reports from all three major credit bureaus.
—Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Manufacturers are not rushing to move plants to the US, as the tariffs would, in theory, compel them to.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
The president's criticism of Berlin has compelled Germany to increase funding for its military forces and infrastructure, which critics say are in a bad state of affairs.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The Annual Credit Report is compelled by federal law to offer free yearly credit reports from all three major credit bureaus.
—Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Manufacturers are not rushing to move plants to the US, as the tariffs would, in theory, compel them to.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compel
Verb
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The settlement also adds that Google will not interfere with, restrain or coerce workers in the exercise of their rights.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
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If a sitting or former president can successfully coerce law firms into submission by threatening financial ruin, what happens to the idea of legal independence?—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, no amount of care or good intentions can prevent the sudden demolition of the brothers’ home, courtesy of a vague order from the IDF — for which the family is even forced to pay.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
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Due to the alligator's aggressive behavior, Department of Natural Resources contractors were forced to euthanize the reptile and remove it from the area.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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You are not obligated to have a conversation with the police.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
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The district is not obligated to use the full amount.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As a signatory of the Rome Statute, which established the court in 2002, Hungary is obliged to arrest Netanyahu.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
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The 125 states that recognize the ICC -- including France, Germany and the United Kingdom -- are obliged to arrest anyone with an outstanding arrest warrant who enters their territory.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Tate Beran drove in a pair of runs, while Ryan Kastor picked up his second save with two scoreless innings of relief.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compel. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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