Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use actuate instead of impel?

The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When is drive a more appropriate choice than impel?

Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When would move be a good substitute for impel?

The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impel What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? The Editors, National Review, 6 June 2024 China’s growing economic and political reach has impelled Australia, India, Japan, and the United States to try to gain influence in the countries not yet tightly aligned with either bloc. Paul Staniland, Foreign Affairs, 2 May 2024 North’s three diamonds was forcing and impelled his side into game. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 After all, the pianist upstairs impelled her to write a poem—and nearly a decade later, the poem impels me to write this. Erica Funkhouser, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impel 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • Visitors can camp, hike, look for birds (including Montezuma quail) from one of the best bird blinds in the state, or drive up the 5-mile scenic Skyline Drive to a rock overlook at the top.
    Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024
  • For some, the declines were symptomatic of a greater disorder originating from within the league itself, something egregious enough to effectively drive a fifth of the audience away within the span of a single year.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Families were reportedly compelled to sign nondisclosure agreements.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Will most indies continue to sell, sell, sell, and be compelled, like Kari Voutilainen, to vertically integrate in order to maintain their freedom from corporate rule?
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • And the private sector is moving swiftly to meet growing demand for zero-carbon technologies and materials.
    Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024
  • This is a true win-now move and pushes Dallas closer to being legitimate title contenders again this season.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Bodies begin to pile up as the police move in, and Daniel is forced to keep his fractured community together and catch the killer.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
  • In 2023, the House Freedom Caucus forced the House to pass a debt limit bill with almost $5 trillion in spending cuts as an opening offer in negotiations with the White House.
    David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To activate it, mix the crystals with water in the palm of your hand until the mixture becomes a paste, then massage the treatment into the scalp.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 31 Dec. 2024
  • For example, just this year, studies with the rodents showed how activating certain brain cells not only slowed aging but also extended their lives.
    Michael Franco, New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Chief Critic Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel criticized the Teamsters in a statement shared with Forbes, and accused the group of threatening, intimidating, and attempting to coerce Amazon employees to join them.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
  • And that, according to the district attorney, is an attempt to coerce or influence the public or its citizenry or an industry towards change, which is included in the terrorism charge.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • These regions are being propelled by innovation, favorable demographic trends, and significant untapped growth potential.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The dynamic one-two punch of Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley has propelled the Eagles to their NFC East-leading 12-3 record.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The court ruled the employer wasn’t obligated to remind an employee specifically who was listed as beneficiary.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.
    Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near impel

Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impel

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