Meaning & use

compelled

verb·Academic

Forced or strongly driven, by necessity, duty, or pressure, to act in a particular way.

See it in a sentence

She felt compelled to apologize after realizing her mistake had hurt her friend.

The court compelled the company to release the requested documents.

A note on using this word

Compelled often implies an inner or moral pressure, distinct from being physically forced.

Words with a similar meaning

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