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# compel

verb (compel, compels, compelled, compelling); adjective compelling

«compel» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) To force someone to do something, by law, rules or strong pressure (be compelled to). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#m1)
2. To cause a strong feeling or reaction (compel attention). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#m2)

### In the lessons

Formal and exam language: «Students are compelled to wear uniform». In stories: «She felt compelled to help». Adjective «compelling» means very interesting or convincing (a compelling story, compelling evidence).

### Examples

- The law compels drivers to wear seatbelts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x1)
- Rain compelled us to cancel the picnic. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x2)
- He felt compelled to tell the truth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x3)
- No one can compel you to say something untrue. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x4)
- The storm compelled the ship to return. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x5)
- It was a compelling book I couldn't put down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x6)
- But it was no use; something stronger than himself compelled him to keep them there. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/#x7)

### Note

Double l before -ed and -ing: compelled, compelling. Noun: compulsion; adjective compulsory (must be done). Formal: everyday words are force or make.

## In Jewish tradition

To force someone.

**Interpretation.** The Talmud notes that at Ahasuerus's feast, drinking was not forced, which the tradition sees as a rare kindness in a feast otherwise seen as excessive.

### Examples

- And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel; for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure. (Writings EST.1.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/compel/#x1)

### Note

Double l before -ed and -ing: compelled, compelling. Noun: compulsion; adjective compulsory (must be done). Formal: everyday words are force or make.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «compel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«compel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/compel.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «compel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/compel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«compel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/compel.html) on Mova free.