compel
gb/kəmpˈɛl/ us/kəmpˈɛl/
C1
English
~ 6400
kényszerít, kötelez, késztet, magára von, tiszteletet parancsol
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
kényszerít
B2
kötelez
B2
Usage pattern:
to compel [someone] to [do something]
The new law compels companies to provide paid sick leave.
Az új törvény kötelezi a vállalatokat arra, hogy fizetett betegszabadságot biztosítsanak.
Circumstances compelled him to sell his house at a low price.
A körülmények arra kényszerítették, hogy alacsony áron adja el a házát.
The court can compel witnesses to appear and testify.
Economic pressure has compelled many small shops to close.
Her contract compels her to work two weekends a month.
Learner examples
The rules compel students to wear a uniform.
A szabályok kötelezik a diákokat arra, hogy egyenruhát viseljenek.
Heavy rain compelled us to stay inside.
A heves eső arra kényszerített minket, hogy bent maradjunk.
His illness compelled him to leave his job.
The police can compel you to show your ID.
Money problems compelled them to move to a smaller home.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"compel someone do something"* without "to". The correct pattern is "compel someone **to** do something." Another mistake is using "compel" when there is only gentle suggestion; in those cases, "encourage" or "persuade" is more natural.
Meaning
force or oblige someone to act
Collocations
compel someone to
|be compelled to
|compel obedience
|compel disclosure
|compel payment
|compel performance
Synonyms
force (More common and general; can sound less formal than "compel".)
|
oblige (Suggests duty or requirement, often slightly softer than "compel".)
|
coerce (Stronger and more negative, often implying threats or unfair pressure.)
|
require (Focuses on rules or needs rather than strong pressure itself.)
Antonyms
allow (Suggests giving someone freedom instead of forcing them.)
|
permit (Emphasizes letting something happen rather than making it happen.)
Themes
law
|power
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone do something, because they have no real choice, often due to rules, law, or strong pressure.
To force or oblige someone to do something, especially because of law, authority, or powerful external circumstances.
VERB
C1
2
késztet
B2
Usage pattern:
to feel compelled to [do something]
I felt compelled to say something when I saw how unfairly she was being treated.
Úgy éreztem, muszáj valamit mondanom, amikor láttam, milyen igazságtalanul bánnak vele.
He was compelled to donate after hearing the survivors' stories.
Úgy érezte, adakoznia kell, miután meghallotta a túlélők történeteit.
Many viewers felt compelled to share the video on social media.
She did not want to go, but she felt compelled to support her friend.
The book compelled him to rethink his views on immigration.
Learner examples
I felt compelled to help the old man.
Úgy éreztem, segítenem kell az idős férfinak.
She felt compelled to tell the truth.
Úgy érezte, hogy meg kell mondania az igazat.
He felt compelled to answer the question.
They felt compelled to say sorry.
We felt compelled to leave the party early.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "compel" here when they only mean "want" or "would like." "Compel" implies a strong feeling of having no real choice, often from duty, guilt, or strong emotion. Also, this sense is usually used in passive structures like "feel compelled to" or "be compelled to," not as "compel myself to" in active voice.
Meaning
strongly drive or move someone to act
Collocations
feel compelled to
|be compelled to respond
|compelled to act
|compelled to explain
|compelled to apologize
|compelled to help
Synonyms
feel obliged (Emphasizes a sense of duty or social expectation, sometimes milder than "compelled".)
|
feel driven (Highlights strong internal motivation, not always moral pressure.)
|
feel forced (More blunt and negative; may suggest less personal choice than "compelled".)
Antonyms
feel free (Suggests having no inner pressure or duty to act.)
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel that they must do something, because of their feelings, duty, or beliefs.
To cause someone, often oneself, to feel a strong internal or moral pressure to do something, even if it is not strictly required.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to compel [attention / interest / respect]
Her powerful performance compelled the audience's full attention.
Erőteljes alakítása teljesen magára vonta a közönség figyelmét.
The seriousness of the crisis compels respect, even from critics.
A válság súlyossága még a bírálók körében is tiszteletet parancsol.
The documentary compels sympathy for the people affected by the war.
His calm, confident manner compelled trust from the team.
The sheer scale of the project compels admiration.
Learner examples
The loud noise compelled our attention.
A hangos zaj azonnal magára vonta a figyelmünket.
His strong story compelled interest from the class.
Erőteljes története felkeltette az osztály érdeklődését.
Her brave act compelled respect from everyone.
The sad photos compelled sympathy from many people.
The singer’s voice compelled the audience’s attention.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with simply "get attention." "Compel attention" is stronger and more formal, suggesting that people almost cannot avoid paying attention. It is usually used with abstract nouns like "attention," "respect," or "interest," not with concrete objects.
Meaning
demand attention or reaction
Collocations
compel attention
|compel interest
|compel respect
|compel admiration
|compel sympathy
Synonyms
command (As in "command attention" or "command respect"; very close, slightly more common in everyday use.)
|
demand (More direct and strong; can sound harsher and less elegant than "compel.")
|
attract (Gentler and more neutral; does not always suggest the same strong, irresistible pull.)
Antonyms
fail to attract (Describes the absence of the strong pull or demand for attention that "compel" suggests.)
Themes
communication
|art
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make people give attention, interest, or respect because something is very strong or impressive.
To attract or demand a particular reaction, such as attention, interest, or respect, in a powerful and almost irresistible way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compel
IPA
GB/kəmpˈɛl/
US/kəmpˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
com - pel (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pel)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: compel
- 3rd Person Singular: compels
- Present Participle: compelling
- Past: compelled
Word family
Forms
Core family
compulsion
noun C1
compulsory
adjective B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
uncompelling
adjective
non-compulsory
adjective
Advanced or less common
compulsorily
adverb
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: compelling Verb
- Irregular past: compelled Verb
Expressions
be compelled to
1/bˈi kəmpˈɛld tə/
fixed phrase
formal
be forced or required to act
To have to do something because of law, rules, or strong pressure, with little or no choice.
Examples
- Companies are compelled to reveal more information about their environmental impact.
- We were compelled to cancel the event because of the storm.
compel attention
1/kəmpˈɛl ətˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
demand or seize attention
To make people pay attention because something is so strong, important, or unusual.
Examples
- The rise in youth homelessness compels attention from policymakers.
- Her striking design compelled attention at the exhibition.
compel obedience
1/kəmpˈɛl oʊbˈidiəns/
fixed phrase
formal
force people to obey
To make people follow rules or orders, using power or strong pressure.
Examples
- The regime used fear to compel obedience from the population.
- Strict penalties were introduced to compel obedience to the new regulations.
compel someone to do something
1/kəmpˈɛl sˈʌmwˌʌn tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
force a person to act
To make a person do a particular thing, usually because of law, power, or strong pressure.
Examples
- The contract compels the company to pay a penalty for late delivery.
- Nothing could compel him to sign a false statement.
feel compelled to
1/fˈil kəmpˈɛld tə/
fixed phrase
feel a strong need to act
To have a strong feeling that you must do something, often because of duty, guilt, or emotion.
Examples
- I feel compelled to speak up about this issue.
- Many readers felt compelled to write to the author after finishing the book.