Impel vs. Compel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Impel suggests urging someone to action by moral or intellectual influence, whereas compel involves enforcing action through authority or force.
Difference Between Impel and Compel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Impel often conveys a sense of encouragement or motivation that comes from internal desires or external persuasion, pushing someone towards a certain action. On the other hand, compel usually implies a stronger force or obligation, often external, that necessitates action regardless of personal wishes.
In motivational contexts, to impel someone is to inspire them through appealing to their sense of duty or values. Conversely, to compel someone often involves a scenario where there is no choice but to follow a directive or rule.
Impel can be associated with positive influences, such as aspirations or ideals that drive a person to act. Whereas, compel often carries a negative connotation, suggesting coercion or reluctance on the part of the individual being compelled.
The results of being impelled can be seen as voluntary and aligned with one's own goals or beliefs. In contrast, being compelled usually results in actions that might not align with one's own desires, but are necessary due to external pressures.
Literature often uses impel to describe characters driven by internal convictions or profound realizations. Meanwhile, compel is used to describe situations where characters face unavoidable circumstances or legal obligations that force them to act.
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Comparison Chart
Nature of Influence
Moral or intellectual
Authoritative or coercive
Volition
Actions are more voluntary
Actions are often involuntary
Connotation
Generally positive
Often negative
Source of Motivation
Internal desires or external positive persuasion
External pressure or obligation
Common Contexts
Inspirational leadership, personal goals
Legal requirements, coercive circumstances
Compare with Definitions
Impel
To drive or urge forward.
His passion for science impelled him to pursue a career in research.
Compel
To drive actions or decisions by coercion or authority.
The severe weather compelled them to cancel the event.
Impel
To influence someone to act in alignment with their beliefs.
His integrity impelled him to report the error.
Compel
To exert a forceful influence on someone.
The emergency compelled quick action from the authorities.
Impel
To motivate action based on intellectual or moral grounds.
The need to solve the mystery impelled her to study the clues carefully.
Compel
To force someone to do something.
The court order compelled him to pay the fines.
Impel
To propel or drive an idea forward.
The innovative concept was impelled by the company's commitment to sustainability.
Compel
To necessitate action through external pressure.
Circumstances compelled her to make a difficult decision.
Impel
To push someone into action through inspiration or encouragement.
The coach's speech impelled the team to play their best game.
Compel
To obligate someone legally or morally.
His sense of duty compelled him to help.
Impel
To urge to action through moral pressure; drive
I was impelled by events to take a stand.
Compel
To force (a person) to do something; drive or constrain
The court compelled the company to pay full restitution. My conscience compels me to speak out.
Impel
To drive forward; propel.
Compel
To necessitate or require, as by force of circumstance; demand
Growing riots compelled the evacuation of the embassy.
Impel
(transitive) To urge a person; to press on; to incite to action or motion via intrinsic motivation.
Compel
To exert a strong, irresistible force on; sway
"The land, in a certain, very real way, compels the minds of the people" (Barry Lopez).
Impel
(transitive) To drive forward; to propel an object, to provide an impetus for motion or action.
Compel
To drive together, round up en
Impel
To drive or urge forward or on; to press on; to incite to action or motion in any way.
The surge impelled me on a craggy coast.
Compel
(transitive) To overpower; to subdue.
Impel
Urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
Compel
(transitive) To force, constrain or coerce.
Logic compels the wise, while fools feel compelled by emotions.
Impel
Cause to move forward with force;
Steam propels this ship
Compel
(transitive) To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
Compel
(obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
Compel
(obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
Compel
(obsolete) To call forth; to summon.
Compel
To drive or urge with force, or irresistibly; to force; to constrain; to oblige; to necessitate, either by physical or moral force.
Wolsey . . . compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.
And they compel one Simon . . . to bear his cross.
Compel
To take by force or violence; to seize; to exact; to extort.
Commissions, which compel from eachThe sixth part of his substance.
Compel
To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled.
I compel all creatures to my will.
Compel
To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
Compel
To call forth; to summon.
She had this knight from far compelled.
Compel
To make one yield or submit.
Compel
Force or compel somebody to do something;
We compel all students to fill out this form
Compel
Make someone do something
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to compel someone?
To compel someone means to force them to act, usually under authority or due to an external pressure.
How does impel differ in its approach to influence compared to compel?
Impel uses moral or intellectual influence to encourage action, while compel enforces action through external forces or authority.
What does it mean to impel someone?
To impel someone means to drive, motivate, or urge them to act, often through positive encouragement or internal desires.
Can impel and compel be used interchangeably?
Although both impel and compel relate to influencing actions, they are not interchangeable as impel is gentler and based on motivation, whereas compel is forceful and authoritative.
What are some examples of situations where one might be impelled rather than compelled?
Examples include being impelled by personal goals to succeed or being impelled by a mentor’s guidance.
How does impel relate to personal goals or aspirations?
Impel is closely tied to personal goals or aspirations as it often describes actions taken in pursuit of personal achievements or driven by individual ideals and motivations.
Is "impel" always a positive influence?
Generally, "impel" is seen in a positive light as it suggests motivating or urging someone through encouragement or internal conviction, although it can sometimes simply mean to push forward without a moral judgment.
Can one be impelled and compelled at the same time?
Yes, it's possible to be both impelled and compelled in a situation where internal motivations align with external pressures or obligations, leading to a combined force driving action.
What are the emotional implications of being compelled?
Being compelled often carries emotional implications of stress or reluctance because it involves external pressures that force individuals to act contrary to their own will or preference.
What types of authority are typically involved in compelling someone?
Compelling someone often involves legal, organizational, or hierarchical authority, which imposes obligations or enforces compliance through formal power or rules.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
