compel

To compel is to force someone do something or make something happen.

(verb)

An example of compel is when you argue until someone agrees to give in.

See compel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

Origin: ME compellen < OFr compellir < L compellere < com-, together + pellere, to drive: see felt

Related Forms:

See compel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb com·pelled, com·pel·ling, com·pels

To force, drive, or constrain: Duty compelled the soldiers to volunteer for the mission.
To necessitate or pressure by force; exact: An energy crisis compels fuel conservation. See Synonyms at force.
To exert a strong, irresistible force on; sway: “The land, in a certain, very real way, compels the minds of the people” (Barry Lopez).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English compellen

Origin: , from Latin compellere

Origin: : com-, com-

Origin: + pellere, to drive; see pel-⁵ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: