Compel vs. Force — What's the Difference?

Compel typically involves persuasion, moral pressure, or another form of influence that doesn't rely on physical force, suggesting a level of subtlety or necessity that persuades someone to act in a certain way. On the other hand, force is more direct and brutal, often involving physical strength, threats, or authority to make someone do something against their will.

Compel is about making someone feel obliged to do something, often because of a moral, emotional, or intellectual appeal, or due to circumstances. For instance, a compelling argument might make it difficult for one to resist agreement. Force is about exerting power over someone else, using physical means or authority to achieve compliance. For example, law enforcement officers might use force to apprehend a suspect.

While compel can be seen as a softer approach that influences the mind and decisions, force is about overriding one's free will or choice through physical means or by exerting authority. This distinction highlights the nature of compel as more of an internal push and force as an external imposition.

Compel can also operate in contexts where moral or ethical considerations are at play, making someone feel compelled to act out of a sense of duty or responsibility. For example, one might feel compelled to volunteer at a shelter due to a personal conviction about helping others. Force, by contrast, often leaves little room for personal choice or moral deliberation. It is the use of physical strength, authority, or coercion to achieve an immediate result, sometimes regardless of the personal feelings or ethics of the one being forced.