compelled

[ kuhm-peld ]

adjective

1. secured or brought about by force:

   Statements made in a compelled interview may not be used in a criminal proceeding.

2. 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

1. the simple past tense and past participle of compel ( def ).

Other Words From

• un·com·pelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compelled¹

compel ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

Perhaps more than an actor raised outside of Belfast, Petticrew was able to understand on a visceral level what compelled Dolours to commit acts of terrorism.

From Los Angeles Times

Once the officer found the outstanding warrant, he cuffed Nelly’s hands behind his back and, Rosenblum said, “felt compelled” to “parade him through the casino in front of other customers.”

From Los Angeles Times

"No one should be compelled, for example, to take part in assisted dying if they've got moral or ethical objections as clinicians. That certainly would be one of my red lines".

From BBC

And an already healthy rivalry was fuelled by Johnny Sexton and Rieko Ioane's spat in the immediate aftermath of last year's World Cup game, which the former Ireland fly-half felt compelled to include in his autobiography.

From BBC

Asked why he felt compelled to do it, Bosa replied: “I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change. Clearly the nation spoke and we got what we got.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afraid
• averse
• evasive
• forced
• loath
• reluctant
• resistant
• unenthusiastic