compel

/kəmˈpɛl/

//kəmˈpɛl// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"compel" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“compel” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #20,067 in English word frequency and used as a verb.

#20,067
frequency rank, English
6
letters
9
tracked misspellings
20
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To drive together, round up.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

compel vs cope
67% similar
compel vs coupe
67% similar
compel vs comte
67% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for compel
PropertyValue
Headwordcompel
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/kəmˈpɛl/
Letters6
Frequency rank#20,067
Misspellings tracked9
Confusable pairs20
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “compel” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). compel lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for compel is 6 letters long, classified as a verb, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /kəmˈpɛl/. Corpus data places it at rank #20,067 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 9 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 9 likely wrong-spelling variants for compel, with forms such as "ccompel", "cmopel", and "comepl". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 20 confusable-pair relationships, "cope", "coupe", "comte", and more, since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan. The correct English form is compel, spelled C-O-M-P-E-L.

Definition

  1. 1
    To drive together, round up.
  2. 2
    To overpower; to subdue.
  3. 3
    To force, constrain, or coerce.
  4. 4
    To forcefully or powerfully motivate (a course of action).
  5. 5
    To have a strong, irresistible force (on someone or something).
  6. 6
    To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
  7. 7
    To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
  8. 8
    To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
  9. 9
    To call forth; to summon.

Etymology

From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan.

This word in other languages

compeler(Español)contraindre(Français)zwingen(Deutsch)forçar(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: ccompel,cmopel,comepl,commpel,compell,comple,comppel,copmel,ocmpel

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of compel - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

ccompel1cmopel2comepl2commpel1compell1comple2comppel1copmel2
Edit distance from "compel"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "compel"?
"compel" is spelled C-O-M-P-E-L. The IPA pronunciation is /kəmˈpɛl/.
What does "compel" mean?
As a verb, "compel" means: To drive together, round up.
What words are commonly confused with "compel"?
"compel" is commonly confused with "cope", "coupe", "comte". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "compel"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "compel" is /kəmˈpɛl/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "compel"?
From Middle English compellen, borrowed from Middle French compellir, from Latin compellere, itself from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”). Displaced native Old English nīedan. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “compel”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-M-P-E-L - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /kəmˈpɛl/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “cope” - see the side-by-side comparison. compel vs cope
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list