IMPELLING Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

impelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in compelling

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impelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of impel

as in driving

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in forcing

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 impelling

Verb

This is a very forward-impelling perspective to come to. — Elizabeth Mata, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impelling

Adjective

How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
This involves understanding and speaking the client's language, translating complex technology into tangible business outcomes, and delivering compelling presentations.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of compelling

Verb

Economists can debate whether a top-15 economy should morph itself into a giant leveraged bet on the AI trade, one now driving growth to new highs rather than simply riding alongside it.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Still, several financial analysts have concluded that the prediction frenzy, with its sleek mobile apps and easy-to-understand odds, are driving the stock drops.

— Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of driving

Verb

Jones wanted to show that despite her stern attitude with John and forcing him to grow up, her love for her child always comes through.

— Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
However, analysts warn that the plans will likely take years to come to fruition, forcing countries to seek immediate alternatives elsewhere.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of forcing

Adjective

For one thing, there’s that conspicuous six-page feature on Zara chair Marta Ortega Pérez — the 42-year-old daughter of 90-year-old founder Amancio Ortega — in Vogue‘s September issue.

— Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Trump’s approval ratings tanked, and the ICE surges into American cities were replaced by less conspicuous methods.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspicuous

Verb

Instead of simply moving the body without the patient’s involvement, HAL responds to the person’s own intention to move.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Others are already moving confidently through modern cities, studying, working and shaping lives increasingly separate from traditional expectations.

— PhotoVogue, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of moving

Verb

Playing that cat, a work camp warden coercing Hawke’s character into smuggling gold through the wilderness, is none other than Russell Crowe.

— Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
But in the past, these efforts were largely aimed at threatening or coercing Washington to act in their favor.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of coercing

Adjective

Beyond the conventional routes lie some of the world’s most striking volcanic highlands, black-sand beaches, and untamed wilderness—landscapes that reward those willing to venture farther afield.

— Gwen Nicol, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Much like its London siblings, Chelsea Townhouse offers a striking counterpoint to the slew of large luxury hotels that have opened in the city more recently—a discreet, comfortable brand of luxury without the extra frills.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of striking

Verb

The Athletic reported on Sunday that Mateta was in dispute with Palace over the final year of his contract, which is set to expire next summer, with Palace activating an option to extend his deal by a further year last December.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
That means enterprising Quest owners should be able to sideload apps without needing to register for a Meta Developer account and activating Developer Mode through Meta’s mobile app.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of activating

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“Impelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impelling. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of impelling

adjective

verb

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