compel

Universal Words verb (-ll-) (formal) 1 to force sb to do sth; to make sth necessary: [VNtoinf] The law can compel fathers to make regular payments for their children. * I feel compelled to write and tell you how much I enjoyed your book. * [VN] Last year ill health compelled his retirement. 2 [VN] (not used in the progressive tenses) to cause a particular reaction: He spoke with an authority that compelled the attention of the whole crowd. seealsoCOMPULSION