First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
impel
verb im·pel \im-ˈpel\
: to cause (someone) to feel a strong need or desire to do something
im·pelledim·pel·ling
Full Definition of IMPEL
transitive verb
1
: to urge or drive forward or on by or as if by the exertion of strong moral pressure : force <felt impelled to correct the misconception>
2
: to impart motion to : propel
See impel defined for English-language learners
See impel defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of IMPEL
Middle English impellen, from Latin impellere, from in- + pellere to drive — more at felt
Synonym Discussion of IMPEL
move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position <moved the furniture>. actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion <turbines actuated by waterpower>. drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus <a ship driven aground by hurricane winds>. impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus <a candidate impelled by ambition>.
Rhymes with IMPEL
band shell, barbell, Becquerel, Blackwell, bluebell, bombshell, bridewell, cadelle, cartel, chandelle, Chanel, clamshell, compel, cormel, cornel, corral, cowbell, cupel, diel, dispel, doorbell, dry cell, dry well, dumbbell, duxelles, ear shell, eggshell, excel, expel, farewell, fat cell, foretell, fuel cell, gazelle, germ cell, Glaspell, gromwell, groundswell, half shell, handbell, hard sell, hard-shell, harebell, hotel, indwell, inkwell, Jarrell, jurel, Kandel, lampshell, lapel, Mandel, marcel, maxwell, Maxwell, micelle, misspell, morel, motel, nacelle, nerve cell, Nobel, noel, nouvelle, nutshell, oil well, Orel, Orwell, outsell, pall-mall, Parnell, pastel, pell-mell, pixel, pointelle, Ponselle, presell, propel, quenelle, rakehell, rappel, Ravel, rebel, refel, repel, respell, retell, riel, rondel, Roswell, saurel, scalpel, seashell, sequel, sleigh bell, soft sell, soft-shell, solgel, speedwell, spinel, stairwell, star shell, stem cell, tooth shell, unsell, unwell, upwell, wind-bell
IMPEL Defined for Kids
impel
verb im·pel \im-ˈpel\
im·pelledim·pel·ling
Definition of IMPEL for Kids
: to urge or force into action <I felt impelled to speak up.>
Learn More About IMPEL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: impellent (adjective)Previous Word in the Dictionary: impedorAll Words Near: impel
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up impel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).