Synonyms

compelled

American

[kuhm-peld] / kəmˈpɛld /

adjective

secured or brought about by force.

Statements made in a compelled interview may not be used in a criminal proceeding.
forced or driven to a particular course of action, often by an irresistible internal urge.

I haven't felt so compelled to learn as much as I can about something since my fascination with Slavic folk music!

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of compel.

Other Word Forms

uncompelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of compelled

compel ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The now-20-year-old told jurors she felt compelled to frequently check accounts to make sure she hadn’t missed anything.

From The Wall Street Journal

When people asked to search the table during séances, she cautioned, “Spirits … are compelled to assume shapes that human eyes must not look upon.”

From Literature

She said she felt compelled to check YouTube and Instagram regularly.

From The Wall Street Journal

The new tools compelled students to interact and gave them feedback they can use to hone those skills.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many of the earlier American medal winners felt compelled to apologize for the country they represented.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023