Difference between 促すand 迫る

Can somebody explain the difference between 促すand 迫る to me?
Wanikani says they both means to urge, but is there a nuance? Or are they identical?

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You can imagine 促す as coming from a kind and encouraging place. On the other hand 迫る is strong and somewhat aggressive.

So it’s like 促す = to encourage someone to do something, or do it faster
And 迫る = to demand or press someone to do something

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On the kanji page for 迫, alternate definitions are also “compel” an “coerce,” and “to coerce” is an alt definition listed for 迫る. It highlights the more forceful nature of 迫る.

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Oh man, now I’m embarrassed that I didn’t even know about this meaning of 迫る. I only have encountered/learned it in the context of meaning 近づく, such as 出発時間が迫る.

:flushed: Oops

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No worries!

Bet you won’t forget that alternate meaning now that you felt embarrassed about making a post about it on a forum. :wink:

迫る actually has a bunch more meanings, so it’s not that big of a deal. Or maybe it’s a bigger deal? Haha.

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