Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use actuate instead of impel?

The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When is drive a more appropriate choice than impel?

Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When would move be a good substitute for impel?

The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impel But the 1933 Cuban Revolution impelled his family’s flight from the island, dashing Desi’s hopes of a legal career. Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 To do that, SoFi must be among the small number of public companies that continues to provide upbeat forecasts – as tariff uncertainty impels many public companies to stop offering guidance. Peter Cohan, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 These are questions Li rarely directly poses but which the reader is inevitably impelled to ask. Daphne Merkin, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Powerful domestic pressures impel and constrain both countries’ foreign policy choices. Lee Hsien Loong, Foreign Affairs, 4 June 2020 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • One chair represents the relentless pressure to deliver through hitting growth targets, driving innovation, and meeting stakeholder expectations.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Have a great day, drive safely, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.
    Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • That compels people to shell out somewhere between $2,500 and $3,000 for courtside seats for a summer league game, as people did Thursday.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • So she still feels compelled to speak up for these fellow children of God.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
  • Crisis response is best handled when teams move together.
    Matthew Polega, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Farmland and ranch properties, typically large and illiquid assets, have historically forced family sales to cover estate tax obligations.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
  • Initially, the plant’s staff was overwhelmed, forcing Motorola to briefly backtrack on its promise to deliver phones to customers within four days.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The couple successfully activate the code and crawl through a tunnel to freedom, only to discover that the entire city has been sealed inside the same black brick structures.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 11 July 2025
  • The Network then will activate its many participants to collaborate and engage together to advance solutions and designs of new processes, or mechanisms, or even technologies that are needed to not only benefit each individual employer organization but also the overall talent ecosystem.
    Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • One of the former detectives Dillard accused of helping harass and coerce a witness into testifying was among the Wolverines.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 July 2025
  • Attorneys opened their cases on Tuesday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building before the former student, now 26, testified for hours, telling jurors that Crowder engaged her in a relationship and then coerced her into having two abortions.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Its shares have soared more than 52% in the last three months, propelled by the artificial intelligence boom.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 10 July 2025
  • The season propelled her to legend status — even earning her a spot on The Traitors season 3.
    Adam England, People.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Judges are not obligated to consider amicus briefs since they are submitted by non-parties.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025
  • The family told the local station that doctors allegedly said they were legally obligated to keep Smith on life support until the fetus was viable.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impel

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