compel
To force someone to do something.
compel in a sentence
- The storm compelled the campers to pack up and shelter in the village hall.
- The rules compel every cyclist in the race to wear a helmet, whether they like it or not.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to compel?
- Aforce
- Bask
- Callow
- Dfree
Show the answer
A: force. The other three mean the opposite of compel.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to compel?
- Aallow
- Bpush
- Cmake
- Dforce
Show the answer
A: allow. The other three mean nearly the same as compel.
Words that mean something similar
force, make, push
Words that mean the opposite
allow, free, ask
More words about behaviour & manners
- consent: To agree to something or give permission for it.
- contribute: To give something, such as money, time or ideas, to help.
- conventional: Usual and traditional, done the way things are normally done.
- cordial: Warm, friendly and polite.
- courteous: Polite and showing good manners.
- covert: Done secretly, so that other people do not notice.
- curb: To control or hold back something so that it does not get out of hand.
- custom: A way of doing something that people have followed for a long time.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test