Definitions
- Describing a strong inner drive or motivation to do something. - Referring to a force that propels or drives someone towards a particular action. - Talking about a sense of urgency or necessity to take action.
- Referring to a strong feeling of obligation or duty to do something. - Describing a force or pressure that makes someone act in a certain way. - Talking about a situation where there is no choice but to take a particular action.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a strong urge or force that drives someone to take action.
- 2Both words can be used to express a sense of obligation or necessity.
- 3Both words imply that the person has little choice but to take the action.
What is the difference?
- 1Source of force: Impelled suggests an internal force or motivation, while compelled implies an external force or pressure.
- 2Degree of choice: Impelled suggests a stronger sense of personal choice or agency than compelled.
- 3Intensity: Compelled suggests a stronger sense of obligation or duty than impelled.
- 4Connotation: Impelled has a more positive connotation, suggesting a sense of personal drive or motivation, while compelled can have a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of choice or freedom.
- 5Usage: Impelled is less commonly used than compelled in everyday language.
Remember this!
While both impelled and compelled describe a strong urge or force that drives someone to take action, they differ in their source of force, degree of choice, intensity, connotation, and usage. Impelled suggests an internal force or motivation, a stronger sense of personal choice or agency, and has a more positive connotation. In contrast, compelled implies an external force or pressure, a stronger sense of obligation or duty, and can have a negative connotation. Additionally, compelled is more commonly used than impelled in everyday language.
