English Explanatory Dictionary

impel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To urge a person; to press on; to incite to action or motion via intrinsic motivation.
  2. To drive forward; to propel an object, to provide an impetus for motion or action.

Pronunciation

/ɪmˈpɛl/ en-us-impel.ogg

Word forms

impel impels impelling impelled

Etymology

From Middle English impellen, borrowed from Latin impellō.

Synonyms

propel actuate motivate abet goose light a fire under send sting bring about cheer draw drive encourage egg on engender evoke excite foment goad grill ignite impel incite induce inflame instigate invoke lash motive move obligate oblige push promote prompt provoke rouse set off spark off spur spur on stimulate stir stir up stoke tempt urge whet whip up press shove thrutch

Antonyms

expel propel restrain retard behedge blunt crimp delay difficult diminish forestay interfere intervene forslow frustrate get in the way hamper handicap hinder hold up hurt impair impede incommode lessen let mar obstruct overslaugh preclude prevene prevent prohibit reduce restrict slow down stay stymie thwart thwarten umbeset undermine weaken worsen

Related words

impellent impeller impetus impulse

Derived words

reimpel unimpelled
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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