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

Example 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 Are the individuals to blame, or are they impelled by a cruel society or a divinely sanctioned hand? Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024 Economic troubles have impelled many Southern conservatives, like Mayor Rocker, to consider fresh approaches to the role that government plays in health care. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2024 When Instagram sends notifications about likes or worthwhile posts, people are impelled to open the app and start scrolling; when sports-betting apps send push alerts about fantastic parlays, people are coaxed into placing one more bet. Christine Emba, The Atlantic, 8 July 2024 Recent botanical research such as Clark’s impelled the foundation to expand into Centinela. Amanda Schupak, CNN, 13 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • Ultimately, the league’s decision-making on NBA expansion will be driven by a combination of market size, media presence, economic factors, and ownership interest.
    Giovanni Malloy, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • This approach delivers precision targeting that drives measurable results.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its methodologies compel leaders and their teams to rigorously examine their most fundamental beliefs, anticipate disruptive scenarios, and prepare adaptive responses.
    Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The parent just saw the First to the Finish trailer and was compelled to praise Holbrook for her vision, and reiterate their trust in her because not everyone in the sporting industry has your child's best interests at heart.
    Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually any discourse about his low batting average and moving him in the lineup evaporated as Judge finished with a .322 average, 58 homers and 144 RBIS, barely missing out on matching Mickey Mantle in the Triple Crown department.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He was appointed to the position in 2024 after longtime trustee Dan Bobrowski moved from the area and left the board.
    Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Her story forced the country to confront a flawed legal system and the cultural discomfort with women who challenged it.
    Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The move, which has already begun, is again forcing the displacement of Palestinian civilians who returned to their homes in northern and southern Gaza strip after the ceasefire was announced in January.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • New users can sign up through our links to activate this welcome offer in time for second round action over the weekend.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recently issued a joint advisory warning that two-factor authentication needed to be activated for all webmail and VPN accounts as a matter of urgency.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • She was sentenced in federal court in Boston to four years in prison for charges of coercing people to engage in prostitution and money laundering conspiracy.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Experts say this is a potentially serious counterintelligence problem that could allow foreign intelligence services to gain insight into a target’s social network or even identify individuals who could be paid or coerced to act against them.
    Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Someone has to propel the Cardinals out of last year’s cellar.
    Johnny Flores Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The 59-foot (18-meter), three-stage rocket dropped its core booster about 2.5 minutes into flight, with the second stage firing to propel the vehicle up to orbital speeds, followed by Electron's kick stage fine-tuning the mission's orbit.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Is he contractually obligated to win all the fights?
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The payment to the city needs to be fulfilled by March 30, when the city is obligated to close its books for the year.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on impel

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