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Word a Day

compel

verb · /kəmˈpɛl/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does compel mean?

compel (verb): force somebody to do something.

Definition: Princeton WordNet 3.1.

How do you use compel in a sentence?

How do you pronounce compel?

/kəmˈpɛl/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does compel come from?

From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What are synonyms of compel?

Words related to compel

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “compel”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “compel” mean?

make better or more attractive

Not quite: that's what enhance means.

to look fixedly (at something)

Not quite: that's what stare means.

perform in order to get a role

Not quite: that's what audition means.

force somebody to do something

Right! That's what “compel” means.

Which word is closest in meaning to “compel”?

oblige

Right!

export

Not quite: export means something else.

depend

Not quite: depend means something else.

cruise

Not quite: cruise means something else.

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