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 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 But Operation Epic Fury should also impel legislators to think about future ways to place presidential war powers back within the limits of a deliberative, constitutional republic. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 Early to mid-March could impel you to make a move that wouldn’t improve matters at all, don’t let a negative mindset drive actions. — Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2026 Early to mid-March could impel you to make a move that wouldn’t improve matters at all, so don’t let a negative mindset drive actions. — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel

Verb

Bonnell also uses a belt drive as standard equipment for quieter, lower-maintenance operation, with an optional 520 chain conversion available for riders who prefer a more traditional setup.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Ronaldinho drove Madonna onto the field at half-time of the World Cup final in a weird little buggy thing.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of drive

Verb

Goodness knows what happened there and what circumstances compelled him to write that Instagram post, but his future at Spurs now looks untenable.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
When the internet is rife with influence and inspiration, who gets credit when someone is compelled to buy something online?

— Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of compel

Verb

The Moon in Pisces moves through your 6th House of Work, Health, and Daily Routines while making an awkward angle to Venus in Libra and your 1st House of Self.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Acceptance moves you out of frustration and into a place of proactivity.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of move

Verb

As more cars wrecked behind the incident, NASCAR was forced to throw the caution flag — freezing the field with Preece in front.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Sometimes, operators were forced to drain one pond and divert its water to save fish in another, the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization said in early August.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of force

Verb

Guided Vision will be available in the system Accessibility shortcuts and can also be activated from the TalkBack menu.

— Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
China has activated the third generating unit at the Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Station in Sichuan Province, bringing all three units in the first phase into operation.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of activate

Verb

Shares of marketing software company Salesforce surged roughly 22% on the week, propelled by a beat-and-raise quarter and a new partnership with large language model maker Anthropic.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
His attempt to discover what he is supposed to be doing propels him through a succession of increasingly strange encounters, as his search for purpose becomes entangled with his desire for love, friendship and some kind of place in the world.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of propel

Browse Nearby Words

impeding

impel

impelled

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“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impel

verb

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