COMPEL.
Synonyms:
| coerce, | drive, | make, | oblige. |
| constrain, | force, | necessitate, |
To compel one to an act is to secure its performance by the use of irresistible physical or moral force. Force implies primarily an actual physical process, absolutely subduing all resistance. Coerce implies the actual or potential use of so much force as may be necessary to secure the surrender of the will; the American secessionists contended that the Federal government had no right to coerce a State. Constrain implies the yielding of judgment and will, and in some cases of inclination or affection, to an overmastering power; as, "the love of Christ constraineth us," 2 Cor. v, 14. Compare [DRIVE]; [INFLUENCE].
Antonyms:
See synonyms for [HINDER].
Prepositions:
The soldiers were compelled to desertion: preferably with the infinitive, compelled to desert.