impelling

Impelling is the present participle of the verb impel, meaning to drive, propel, or urge forward. It can describe a physical force that pushes something in a direction, or a psychological or motivational influence that spurs a person or group to action. The sense often implies an active source of energy or motive that moves objects or decisions toward a goal.

Examples of usage include: “The tide impelled the boat toward the harbor,” and “Her sense of duty impelled her to act.” The term is common in formal, legal, or literary writing and is sometimes preferred over more explicit verbs when a sense of impetus or obligation is intended. It differs from compel (to force against one’s will) and induce (to persuade or influence, rather than drive).

Etymology: From Latin impellere, “to drive toward,” from in- “toward” + pellere “to drive.” The word entered English in the late medieval period and retains a sense of motion and motive in modern usage.

Related terms and concepts include impulse, propulsion, and impeller, the latter a rotating device that provides propulsion in pumps and turbines. In some physics and engineering contexts, impelling may describe forces that cause motion.