compelled

American

[kuhm-peld] / kəmˈpɛld /

adjective

secured or brought about by force.

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

the simple past tense and past participle of compel.

Other Word Forms

uncompelled adjective

Etymology

Origin of compelled

compel ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In October 1905, after Russia had suffered a humiliating military defeat to Japan, Nicholas was compelled to sign a constitutional manifesto that overturned political life in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

My bet is that Melania has been nursing a weird grudge about all this and simply felt compelled to say something.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

Women may volunteer for military service but cannot be compelled to serve under Germany's constitution.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

In a post-coup period of emergency rule, Min Aung Hlaing served as both commander-in-chief of the armed forces and acting president, but to become permanent president he is constitutionally compelled to relinquish his military post.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Rabbinic tradition compelled him to accept the biblical account of the universe’s creation from the void.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023