Αγγλικά

compel

gb/kəmpˈɛl/ us/kəmpˈɛl/
C1 Αγγλικά
~ 6400
Σημασίες
0 σημασίες
Ρήμα formal C1 action
1

force or oblige someone to act

To make someone do something, because they have no real choice, often due to rules, law, or strong pressure.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: to compel [someone] to [do something]
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Συνώνυμα
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.)
Αντώνυμα
allow (Suggests giving someone freedom instead of forcing them.) | permit (Emphasizes letting something happen rather than making it happen.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
compel someone to |be compelled to |compel obedience |compel disclosure |compel payment |compel performance
Θέματα
law |power |work |core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
  • The new law compels companies to provide paid sick leave.
  • Circumstances compelled him to sell his house at a low price.
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • The rules compel students to wear a uniform.
  • Heavy rain compelled us to stay inside.
  • 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.
Ρήμα C1 action
2

strongly drive or move someone to act

To make someone feel that they must do something, because of their feelings, duty, or beliefs.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: to feel compelled to [do something]
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Συνώνυμα
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".)
Αντώνυμα
feel free (Suggests having no inner pressure or duty to act.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
feel compelled to |be compelled to respond |compelled to act |compelled to explain |compelled to apologize |compelled to help
Θέματα
emotions |ethics |relationships |core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
  • I felt compelled to say something when I saw how unfairly she was being treated.
  • He was compelled to donate after hearing the survivors' stories.
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • I felt compelled to help the old man.
  • She felt compelled to tell the truth.
  • He felt compelled to answer the question.
  • They felt compelled to say sorry.
  • We felt compelled to leave the party early.
Ρήμα formal C2 action
3

demand attention or reaction

To make people give attention, interest, or respect because something is very strong or impressive.

Μοτίβο χρήσης: to compel [attention / interest / respect]
Συχνό λάθος:
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.
Συνώνυμα
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.)
Αντώνυμα
fail to attract (Describes the absence of the strong pull or demand for attention that "compel" suggests.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
compel attention |compel interest |compel respect |compel admiration |compel sympathy
Θέματα
communication |art |emotions |core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
  • Her powerful performance compelled the audience's full attention.
  • The seriousness of the crisis compels respect, even from critics.
  • 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.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
  • The loud noise compelled our attention.
  • His strong story compelled interest from the class.
  • Her brave act compelled respect from everyone.
  • The sad photos compelled sympathy from many people.
  • The singer’s voice compelled the audience’s attention.
Γραμματική
Λημματική μορφή
compel
IPA
GB/kəmpˈɛl/
US/kəmpˈɛl/
Συλλαβές και τόνος
com - pel (2 συλλαβές)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pel)
Τύποι λέξης
Verb
  • Base: compel
  • 3rd Person Singular: compels
  • Present Participle: compelling
  • Past: compelled
Οικογένεια λέξεων
Forms
compels verb compelling verb B2 compelled verb
Core family
compulsion noun C1 compulsory adjective B2
Related words
compulsive adjective B2 compulsively adverb compellingly adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
uncompelling adjective non-compulsory adjective
Advanced or less common
compulsorily adverb
Κύρια σημεία
  • Irregular present participle: compelling Verb
  • Irregular past: compelled Verb
Εκφράσεις

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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • 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.

Παραδείγματα
  • I feel compelled to speak up about this issue.
  • Many readers felt compelled to write to the author after finishing the book.

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