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Impelling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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impelling

[ɪmˈpɛlɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

forceful motivation

Causing someone to feel strongly motivated to do something.

Synonyms

compelling, driving, motivating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impelling

Often used to describe a force or reason that drives someone to take action, implying a strong, inner pressure.

  • Her impelling desire to help others led her to establish a charity foundation
  • The impelling need to survive pushed him to find food and shelter
compelling

Usually describes something that is very convincing or draws strong interest and attention, making it hard to resist or ignore.

  • She gave a compelling argument that convinced everyone in the room
  • The movie's storyline was so compelling that I couldn't stop watching
driving

Commonly used to describe a strong motivating force or influence, often external, that pushes someone to act.

  • His family's expectations were his driving force to succeed
  • The company's profit goals are the driving factor behind their aggressive marketing strategy
motivating

Often describes something that provides someone with a reason or incentive to do something, usually viewed positively and can be both internal or external.

  • Her coach's praise was very motivating, encouraging her to train harder
  • Seeing his friend achieve success was motivating for him to pursue his own dreams

Examples of usage

  • The impelling force behind her success was her determination to prove everyone wrong.
  • His impelling desire to explore the unknown led him to travel to remote corners of the world.
Context #2 | Verb

driving action

Driving or urging someone to take action.

Synonyms

prompt, propel, urge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impelling

Used to describe a strong force or influence that drives someone to take action, often internal like emotions or desires.

  • His impelling desire to succeed pushed him to work late every night.
  • She felt an impelling need to speak out against the injustice.
propel

Typically used to describe a physical or metaphorical force that moves something forward, often with a sense of momentum.

  • The strong winds propelled the boat across the lake.
  • Her passion for art propelled her to become a successful painter.
urge

Used to describe a strong wish or need that motivates someone to take action, often involving immediate or pressing situations.

  • He felt an urge to call his friend and apologize.
  • The doctor urged the patient to quit smoking for better health.
prompt

Used when something causes someone to take action or to encourage them to do so, often due to external factors or reminders.

  • The teacher's question prompted a lively discussion in the class.
  • A reminder email prompted him to submit his assignment on time.

Examples of usage

  • The urgent need for help impelled her to call for assistance immediately.
  • His sense of duty impelled him to volunteer for the dangerous mission.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often feel impelled to act when motivated by strong emotions like fear, love, or excitement.
  • Research shows that urgent calls to action can significantly influence decision-making processes.
  • The concept of impulse control addresses how impelling feelings can sometimes lead to rash decisions.

Literature

  • In many classic novels, characters are often driven by impelling forces that push them into conflict.
  • Authors use impelling motivations to create tension and drama, enhancing reader engagement.
  • The portrayal of protagonists who feel an impelling urge adds depth to their character arcs.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict characters experiencing an impelling motivation that leads to their heroic actions.
  • The term reflects themes present in many songs that describe the powerful pull of love or desire.
  • Social movements frequently rely on impelling messages to inspire collective action among communities.

Philosophy

  • Philosophical discussions often explore the nature of what drives individuals to make moral choices.
  • The notion of free will is connected to understanding of how impelling desires influence our actions.
  • Existentialists discuss how one's sense of purpose can create impelling motivations that shape one's life.

Origin of 'impelling'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'impellere,' meaning to push or drive forward.
  • It combines the prefix 'im-' meaning 'in' or 'on' with 'pellere' which means 'to drive' or 'to push.'
  • The evolution of the term highlights the idea of urgency in motivations and actions.

The word 'impelling' originated from the verb 'impel', which comes from the Latin word 'impellere', meaning 'to urge, to drive, to push forward'. The concept of impelling has been present throughout history, as individuals have always been driven by various motivations to take action or make decisions. The adjective form 'impelling' emphasizes the forceful nature of this motivation, highlighting the power it has to move people to act.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,715, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.