Words / B2

k-uh-m-PEL/kəmˈpel/

To compel is to force someone to do something: compel someone to + verb. Compulsory and compelling are already in the dictionary and are not the same (compelling = very strong as an argument). Force is everyday. Courts compel disclosure. Do not mix with compile.

Meaning

To force someone to do something (compel someone to).

Examples

• “The court can compel the trust to release the emails.”
• “Nothing in the contract compelled overtime, which is why the claim failed.”

Good to know

compel someone to + verb. Everyday: force. Related: compulsory (required). Mix-up: compile / compelling. Law: compel disclosure. Not persuade (weaker).

Near in meaning

force

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