Impel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Impelling.]
Etymology: [L. impellere; pref. im- in + pellere, pulsum, to drive. See Pulse a beat, and cf. Impulse.]
To drive or urge forward or on; to press on; to incite to action or motion in any way. The surge impelled me on a craggy coast. Pope.
Syn. -- To instigate; incite; induce; influence; force; drive; urge; actuate; move.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for impel; he lists it under drive, influence, persuade, send.
Where he writes about it:
To urge and impel signify to produce strong excitation toward some act. — from influence
Synonyms
driveinfluencepersuadesendactuateallurebring overcastcoaxcompelconvincedartdelegatedeputedespatchdischargedismissdisposedrawemitenticeexciteflingforwardhurlinciteinclineinduceinstigatelancelaunchleadmoveprevail onprojectpromptpropelpushrepelrepulseresistrideslingstirswaythrowthrusttransmituponurgeurge onwin over