To compel is to force or strongly pressure someone to do something. It can also mean to make something feel so interesting or powerful that people can’t resist paying attention.
From Latin *compellere* “to drive together, force,” from *com-* “together” + *pellere* “to drive, push.” The image is of being driven into an action or situation.
When a story is ‘compelling,’ it’s not politely inviting your attention—it’s pushing your mind toward it so strongly you almost can’t look away. Social pressure works the same way: it can quietly compel behavior without anyone giving a direct order.
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