Compulses

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Forces someone to act in a particular way by applying pressure, authority, or necessity
2. Makes a person do something against their will through external force or overwhelming circumstances
3. Drives or obliges another individual to take a course of action they would otherwise avoid

Etymology: "Compulses" is the third-person singular present form of "compulse," a verb meaning to force or compel someone to do something. The base verb is built from the Latin "compulsare," an intensive form of "compellere," meaning to drive together or to drive forcefully, which combines "com-" (together) with "pellere" (to drive or push). The same Latin root gives English "compel," "compulsion," and "compulsive," all of which share the sense of being pushed or driven toward an action.

Synonyms: compels, forces, obliges, coerces

Antonyms: dissuades, deters