Compelled: meaning, definitions and examples

💪

Add to dictionary

compelled

[kəmˈpɛld ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feeling

Forced or driven to do something

Synonyms

coerced, forced, obliged.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
compelled	Use this when someone feels strongly driven or has a powerful desire to do something, often due to internal reasons or emotions. She felt compelled to speak up about the injustice she witnessed. He was compelled by his conscience to tell the truth.
obliged	This word is suitable when someone feels a sense of duty or social responsibility to do something, often as a result of a favor or social expectation, not necessarily against their will. He felt obliged to attend the wedding because the bride was his cousin. After receiving her help, he felt obliged to return the favor.
forced	Use this when someone is made to do something by an external power or authority, often involving physical power or strong pressure. It can have a negative connotation. The enemy soldiers forced the villagers to leave their homes. The teacher forced the students to rewrite their essays.
coerced	This term is appropriate when someone is pressured or threatened into doing something against their will, often involving force or intimidation. It has a negative connotation. The witness was coerced into giving false testimony. He felt coerced by his boss to work overtime without extra pay.

Examples of usage

I felt compelled to apologize for my mistake.
She was compelled to tell the truth by her guilty conscience.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

To legally require or oblige someone to do something

Synonyms

enforce, mandate, require.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
compelled	Use this word when someone is driven to do something due to an emotional or moral force. It often implies pressure or an irresistible urge. He felt compelled to tell the truth She was compelled to help the injured animal
mandate	Use this word when an official order or commission is given to do something. It is common in formal, legal, and organizational contexts. The government has mandated new safety regulations The school board mandated that every student wear a uniform
require	Use this word when something is needed or necessary. It is more neutral and less forceful than 'compelled' or 'force.' All employees are required to wear ID badges The job requires a high level of skill
enforce	Use this word in the context of making sure that laws, rules, or standards are followed. It implies an implementation of authority. The police enforce the law strictly The teacher enforced the classroom rules

Examples of usage

The court compelled the witness to testify.
The law compelled him to pay a fine for his actions.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

psychology

An irresistible urge to do something

Synonyms

drive, instinct, urge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
compelled	Typically used when someone feels forced to do something due to external pressure or a strong sense of duty. She felt compelled to speak out against the injustice He was compelled by law to testify in court
urge	Describes a strong desire or impulse to do something, often immediate and compelling. He felt an overwhelming urge to apologize She had an urge to check her phone every few minutes
instinct	Refers to an innate, often biological, impulse that guides behavior, usually without conscious thought. Her maternal instinct kicked in as soon as she held her baby Animals hunt using their natural instinct
drive	Used to describe a person's motivation or ambition to achieve something, often long-term and focused. His drive for success was evident in his relentless work ethic She has a strong drive to become a professional athlete

Examples of usage

She felt a compelling need to help those in need.
The compelling desire to explore new horizons motivated her to travel the world.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'compellere', where 'com-' means 'together' and 'pellere' means 'to push', reflecting a forceful drive.
In Middle English, it was used as 'compeled', showing how its meaning has remained consistent through time.

Psychology

People often feel compelled to act when they encounter social pressures or emotional triggers, highlighting the power of external influences.
The feeling of being compelled can sometimes lead to compulsive behaviors, where individuals struggle to resist certain actions or thoughts.

Literature

Many characters in classic literature, such as in Shakespeare's plays, grapple with feelings of being compelled to fulfill their destinies or desires.
The theme of compulsion often explores internal conflict, revealing how characters react under pressure, deepening their narratives.

Pop Culture

In movies, protagonists often face moments where they feel compelled to make significant choices, often leading to pivotal plot twists.
Songs frequently express feelings of being compelled to love or leave someone, resonating with relatable human emotions.

Law

In legal contexts, being compelled can refer to situations where individuals must testify or provide evidence due to legal obligations.
The concept of compelled behavior is also explored in discussions regarding consent and coercion, which are crucial in ethical legal practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "compelled" in other languages:

🇵🇹 compelido

🇮🇳 मजबूर

🇩🇪 gezwungen

🇮🇩 terpaksa

🇺🇦 примушений

🇵🇱 zmuszony

🇯🇵 強制された (kyōsei sa reta)

🇫🇷 contraint

🇪🇸 obligado

🇹🇷 zorlanmış

🇰🇷 강요된 (gangyoden)

🇸🇦 مجبور (majbur)

🇨🇿 přinucený

🇸🇰 donútený

🇨🇳 被迫 (bèipò)

🇸🇮 prisiljen

🇮🇸 neiddur

🇰🇿 мәжбүр

🇬🇪 იძულებული (idzulebuli)

🇦🇿 məcbur

🇲🇽 obligado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,465, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3462 topics
3463 sampling
3464 genuine
3465 compelled
3466 entity
3467 exercised
3468 studying
...