IMPEL Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

impel

verb

im-ˈpel

Definition of impel

as in to drive

to set or keep in motion gasoline impels a car's engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure I felt impelled to tell the truth, however painful it might be

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 His experience impelled him to join an informal yet determined community of researchers, doctors, and patients pushing for extra studies to help patients and doctors find the right dosage for an array of cancer drugs. — CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Sometimes the ideological passions that impelled a work into existence dissolve over time, leaving behind something that can be appreciated as art. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, 20 June 2026 That emotional closeness was one of the driving forces that impelled me to bring this project to the screen in an exercise of deep respect for a complex memory that does not lend itself to simplification. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 19 June 2026 Parallel with that, city enforcement is essential to holding accountable the app companies dispatching the 65,000-plus e-bike delivery workers within timeframes that impel the breaking of traffic laws. — Michael Miller, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for impel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel

Verb

These viruses infect diverse deep-sea prokaryotes that drive vital cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and metals.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
The benefits of space exploration extend well beyond the Moon, potentially driving advances in energy storage, electric vehicles and other technologies on Earth.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

When the drummer was compelled the leave the stage Thursday in Tulsa, there was some confusion during an approximate 25-minute break before the music resumed with Journey’s drum tech, Steve Toomey, taking over.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
The Fifth Amendment generally protects government employees from having statements that are compelled under threat of losing their jobs used against them in a criminal prosecution.

— Matt Peterson,Luke Fountain, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

Components can move from machining to assembly on the same day or the following day, enabling teams to test design changes on physical hardware sooner.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
However, the higher PPI is pointing to an economy that is gradually moving away from deflationary pressures even if the recovery remains uneven, said Hao Zhou, chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

Andrey Khrzhanovskiy, a blogger who filmed the assault, said the settlers beat Levine with sticks while the journalists and villagers were forced to retreat.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Trump repeatedly leaned on Thune to kill the filibuster in order to pass it, and other senators wanted Thune to try to force Democrats to pull off a talking filibuster to block the bill.

— semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

Users can speak to HomeView to control smart home devices, such as, for example, telling Siri to close the smart blinds or activate smart locks.

— Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $180.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

Terry Kay liked to tell the story of how he was coerced into writing his first novel by Pat Conroy, who told his literary agent Kay had written a brilliant manuscript.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Unlike an appeal, the post-conviction process allows a petitioner to introduce new information, such as new allegations or evidence that their attorney coerced or threatened them.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

The Guardians have a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after Petey Halpin’s two-run homer propelled them to a 3-2 victory in Game 3 on Thursday afternoon.

— Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
After a grueling couple of days for tech stocks—propelled by drama and speculation around CoreWeave’s debt—traders bought the dip in the last 24 hours and stocks rose globally.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of propel

Verb

His lawyers, making the motion for dismissal, argued that Kuznietsov was still an active duty soldier and as such was obligated by Ukrainian law not to speak for reasons of secrecy linked to national security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case exploring the extent to which companies from an array of sectors are obligated to protect the privacy of customers’ video-viewing data.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of obligate

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“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impel

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