# compel

> English word · Verb · IPA /kəmˈpɛl/ · frequency rank #20,067

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

## Easily confused with
- **cope** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-cope)
- **coupe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-coupe)
- **comte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-comte)
- **coped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-coped)
- **copper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-copper)
- **Cooper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-cooper)
- **comply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-comply)
- **copped** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-copped)
- **Cowper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-cowper)
- **complex** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-complex)
- **compete** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-compete)
- **compile** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-compile)
- **compels** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/compel-vs-compels)
- **come** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/come-vs-compel)
- **comp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comp-vs-compel)
- **comes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comes-vs-compel)
- **camel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/camel-vs-compel)
- **comet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comet-vs-compel)
- **Comey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comey-vs-compel)
- **comer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/comer-vs-compel)

## Common misspellings (9)
`ccompel`, `cmopel`, `comepl`, `commpel`, `compell`, `comple`, `comppel`, `copmel`, `ocmpel`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/compel