What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Compel vs Oppress - What's the difference?

compel | oppress |

In lang=en terms the difference between compel and oppress

is that compel is to exact, extort, (make) produce by force while oppress is to make sad or gloomy.

In obsolete|lang=en terms the difference between compel and oppress

is that compel is (obsolete) to call forth; to summon while oppress is (obsolete) physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.

As verbs the difference between compel and oppress

is that compel is (transitive|archaic|literally) to drive together, round up while oppress is (obsolete) physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.

compel

English

Verb

  • (transitive, archaic, literally) To drive together, round up (rfex)
  • To overpower; to subdue.
  • * 1917 , , King Coal , ch. 16,
    • She had one of those perfect faces, which irresistibly compel the soul of a man.
  • To force, constrain or coerce.
    • Logic compels''' the wise, while fools feel '''compelled by emotions.
  • * 1600 , , Julius Caesar , act 5, sc. 1,
    • Against my will, / As Pompey was, am I compell’d to set / Upon one battle all our liberties.
  • * Hallam
    • Wolsey compelled the people to pay up the whole subsidy at once.
  • To exact, extort, (make) produce by force.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Commissions, which compel from each / The sixth part of his substance.
  • * 1912 , , Sky Island , ch. 14,
    • The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel order.
  • (obsolete) To force to yield; to overpower; to subjugate.
  • * Dryden
    • Easy sleep their weary limbs compelled .
  • * Tennyson
    • I compel all creatures to my will.
  • (obsolete) To gather or unite in a crowd or company.
  • * Dryden
    • in one troop compelled
  • (obsolete) To call forth; to summon.
  • * Spenser
    • She had this knight from far compelled .
    (Chapman)

    Derived terms

    * compellable * compeller * compelling * compellation * compel testimony

    References

    * * * Random House Webster’s Unabridged Electronic Dictionary , 1987-1996. English control verbs English transitive verbs

    oppress

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • (obsolete) Physically to press down on (someone) with harmful effects; to smother, crush.
  • * , II.x:
    • Most mercilesse of women, VVyden hight, / Her other sonne fast sleeping did oppresse , / And with most cruell hand him murdred pittilesse.
  • To keep down by force
    • The rural poor were oppressed by the land-owners.
  • To make sad or gloomy
    • We were oppressed by the constant grey skies.

    Related terms

    * oppression

    External links

    * * English transitive verbs