compel obedience

USAGE SUMMARY

"compel obedience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone or something forcing others to obey its orders. For example, "The oppressive regime compelled obedience from its citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Moreover, quite apart from this liability, any English ruler's power to compel obedience had its limits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Governments are perhaps the most familiar example of an authoritative social actor, as, by most accounts, they generally possess a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force to compel obedience to their mandates in a given geographic area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This charisma, together with the ambitions and illusions of those around him, enabled the Führer to compel obedience from the four most powerful men in Germany — Martin Bormann, Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler and Albert Speer — and from most of the institutions they controlled in the party, the security services and the economy.

The New York Times - Books

The characteristics that qualify these variously composed and historically differing entities as nation-states and distinguish them from other forms of social and political organization amount in sum to the independent power to compel obedience from the populations within their territories.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ruler has domination over and can compel obedience from the ruled.

SEP

The object of Scripture is not to impart knowledge, but to compel obedience and regulate our conduct.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The state compels obedience to its commands and affirms that these commands reflect the legitimate will of the commanded subjects.

SEP

One extreme interpreted it literally, so that a natural law is a rule implemented by some agent (typically God) which compels obedience on pain of some penalty.

SEP

When he "tried to compel her obedience by force, Lilith, in a rage... rose into the air and left him".

The New Yorker

But almost no constitution anywhere in the world enables judges or nongovernmental actors to "compel" the obedience of an executive who controls the means of force.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the meantime, politicians in the new government spoke of plans to not only enforce their version of Shariah law but also compel its obedience with patrols of religious constables.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "compel obedience" when you want to emphasize the use of power or authority to force someone to follow instructions or rules. It's suitable in contexts where there's a clear imbalance of power.

Common error

Avoid using "compel obedience" in situations where cooperation is voluntary or based on mutual agreement. "Compel" suggests a lack of choice, so it's inappropriate when describing willing participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "compel obedience" functions as a verb phrase, where "compel" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object, and "obedience" serves as that object. This indicates an action of forcing or necessitating adherence to a command or rule. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "compel obedience" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of forcing someone to obey, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not the most frequent expression, it appears in diverse sources such as encyclopedias, news media, and scientific texts, pointing to a formal or neutral register. Its primary function is to assert the act of enforcing compliance, often in discussions of power dynamics and governance. Remember to use it judiciously, recognizing that it implies a lack of choice, and avoid using it when describing voluntary cooperation. Consider alternatives like "enforce compliance" or "demand submission" depending on the intended nuance. Finally, "compel obedience" is accurately reflected by the information provided, with no contradictions or misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enforce compliance

This alternative focuses on the act of ensuring rules or laws are followed, rather than the specific act of obeying.

demand submission

This suggests a more forceful and perhaps aggressive approach to gaining compliance, implying a power dynamic.

dictate compliance

This implies absolute control and a lack of negotiation in achieving obedience.

exact obedience

This phrase indicates a strict and unwavering expectation of obedience.

command compliance

This alternative uses a more direct and authoritative tone.

coerce submission

This suggests the use of force or threats to achieve obedience.

require compliance

This is a more formal way of saying that obedience is mandatory.

oblige obedience

This implies a moral or legal duty to obey.

secure obedience

Focuses on the action of obtaining compliance.

ensure compliance

Focuses on guaranteeing obedience.

FAQs

How can I use "compel obedience" in a sentence?

You can use "compel obedience" to describe situations where someone in authority forces others to obey. For example, "The dictator used fear to compel obedience from the population."

What are some alternatives to "compel obedience"?

Alternatives include "enforce compliance", "demand submission", or "require compliance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "compel obedience" and "encourage obedience"?

"Compel obedience" implies the use of force or authority, while "encourage obedience" suggests using incentives or persuasion to gain compliance. The former is about power; the latter is about motivation.

Is "compel obedience" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "compel obedience" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing a situation involving forced compliance. However, consider the tone and whether a less forceful alternative might be more appropriate.