compelled
Driven by necessity
Compelled describes being driven to act by force, obligation, or inner necessity.
External compulsion is explicit: The court compelled him to testify.
Internal compulsion is felt as irresistible: I felt compelled to speak up.
The word suggests the person wouldn't have acted otherwise—something overcame their resistance or inertia.
Spurred to action
impelled · propelled · spurred · urged · prompted · stirred · roused · impassioned
Opposed to participating
- reluctantUnwilling to act
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
- begrudgingReluctantly allowing or giving
resistant · coerced · resentful · grudging · helpless · powerless · trapped · cornered
Made to occur unwillingly
- pressuredUrged with insistence
- coercedPressured into compliance
- intimidatedMade fearful by threat
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
blackmailed · bullied · strong-armed · manipulated · extorted · overpowered · subjugated · arm-twisted
Morally required to act
- beholdenOwing thanks or duty
- obligedBound to comply
- indebtedOwing thanks or money
- honor-boundMorally obligated to act
accountable · responsible · bound · committed · pledged · contracted · required · expected
motivated
Spurred to action
called · impelled · propelled · spurred · urged · prompted · stirred · roused · impassioned · seized
unwilling
Opposed to participating
- reluctantUnwilling to act
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- constrainedForced into narrow limits
begrudging · resistant · coerced · resentful · grudging · helpless · powerless · trapped · cornered · inescapable
forced
Made to occur unwillingly
- pressuredUrged with insistence
- coercedPressured into compliance
- intimidatedMade fearful by threat
threatened · blackmailed · bullied · strong-armed · manipulated · extorted · overpowered · subjugated · arm-twisted · strongarmed
duty-bound
Morally required to act
honor-bound · accountable · responsible · bound · committed · pledged · contracted · required · expected · mandated
- captivitycaptive, prisoner, detained, imprisoned, incarcerated
- necessitiesbasics, essentials, need, essential, needs
- unwillingreluctant, hesitant, resistant, averse, disinclined
- influencedinspired, persuaded, motivated, swayed, affected
- summonedsummoned, called, beckoned, invoked, hailed
- tight spotstight spot, corner, trapped, stuck, boxed in
compelledvoluntary
Done by choice
willing · free · uncompelled · unforced · unconstrained
compelleddeterred
Prevented through intimidation
dissuaded · restrained · prevented · discouraged · repelled
compelledfree
Without payment or restriction
exempt · excused · released · unobligated · unburdened