Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impel are actuate, drive, and move. While all these words mean "to set or keep in motion," impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus.

a candidate impelled by ambition

When is it sensible to use actuate instead of impel?

The synonyms actuate and impel are sometimes interchangeable, but actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion.

turbines actuated by waterpower

When is drive a more appropriate choice than impel?

Although the words drive and impel have much in common, drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus.

a ship driven aground by hurricane winds

When would move be a good substitute for impel?

The words move and impel can be used in similar contexts, but move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position.

moved the furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impel Questlove joins the latest edition of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast to share his observations on what made Sly Stone great and what impelled him to tumble from the mountaintop of rock stardom. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2025 Steven Pifer, a former American ambassador to Ukraine and one of the top nuclear proliferation experts in the U.S., says Zelensky likely aimed to impel NATO to open membership to Ukraine rather than actually start a clandestine atomic weapons program. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 The light of Easter impels us to break down the barriers that create division and are fraught with grave political and economic consequences. Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 Everywhere The intersection of technology and education is one of the most compelling areas to impel social and economic development. Haroldo Jacobovicz, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impel
Verb
  • Goldstein drove Boozer home with a sacrifice fly and Corral plated the go-ahead run with a single through the right side.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025
  • Adrienne Long, 38, of Magnolia was killed around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday after a 2015 Chevrolet driving north on U.S. 79 near Magnolia crossed the turning lane and collided head-on with the 2015 Nissan that Long was driving south, according to a report.
    Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • In a conversation with Harvard Business School, Sam Altman observes that the rise of AI will compel us to rethink jobs and society.
    Arafat Kabir, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • So when California sets new emission standards – and other states follow – the auto industry is compelled to adopt them.
    Francine Kiefer, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The two new fire stations, plus the new fire department headquarters that is set to hold a relocated Fire Station 4, are being moved at the recommendation of a 2021 plan that looked to lower emergency response times.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • Last month, the department moved ahead with negotiated rulemaking, a lengthy process that would result in changes to federal regulations.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • That gives you a puncher’s chance against a team that runs on makes and misses and forces defensive miscues by sheer virtue of its pace of play.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
  • Set in the winter of 1591, the play unfolds across three clandestine meetings where the rival playwrights are forced into creative collaboration amid a climate of conspiracy and paranoia.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Rocker had been dominant in two rehab outings prior to being activated on Wednesday.
    Compiled From Wire Reports, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • None of them had their body cameras activated, a violation of department policy.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • The alleged kidnappers shocked the victim with electric wires, held him upside down from the top of a staircase, cut his leg with a saw and threatened to kill his family in a bid to coerce their Italian hostage to unlock his Bitcoin account, prosecutors said.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
  • Swat is coerced into taking on the role or finally getting legal comeuppances for all of his misdeeds and ends up taking on solving the mystery of a series of disappearances plaguing Echo city.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • But little opportunities arise everywhere; heavy waves in water can propel racers just enough to warrant a boost push and can strung together by smart player to blast through areas that otherwise might’ve slowed them down.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
  • While walking, this movement propels your body forward with each step.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • Last month, a Los Angeles judge ruled that Sony was no longer obligated to provide episodes to CBS, which has served for decades as the conduit, delivering batches of episodes to television stations around the country.
    Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • Are the writer’s managers, who’re also producers on the movie, obligated to disclose the bump and renegotiate their client’s pay?
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impel. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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