迫る・逼る|せまるsemaru[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. godan verb, intransitive verbto approach; to draw near; to be imminent
   時間じかんが刻々こっこくと迫せまっている。↗

   Time is pressing every moment.
2. godan verb, transitive verbto press (someone for something); to urge; to compel

• Synonym近づくちかづくNeutralGeneral word for approaching or getting close, used widely; 「迫る」 stresses closing in with a sense of pressure, and can also mean pressing someone.
• Synonym接近せっきんNeutralNoun for approaching, as in a typhoon nearing land, or for levels becoming similar; 「迫る」 carries a stronger sense of urgency.
• Synonym差し迫るさしせまるNeutralFocuses on matters or deadlines being imminent, as in 「差し迫った問題」; it is not used for pressuring a person.
• Synonym寄るよるNeutralTo move close, also to stop by on the way; 「迫る」 adds a sense of pressure.
• Synonym詰め寄るつめよるNeutralTo close in on someone and press them with questions, as in 「詰め寄って問いただす」; close to 「迫る」.
• Synonym押し迫るおしせまるWrittenWritten style, for time or deadlines drawing near, often the year's end; in everyday speech use 「迫る」 or 「近づく」.
• Related近寄るちかよるNeutralMeans to walk up close, as in 「危険に近寄るな」; 「迫る」 carries a sense of pressure.
• Related促すうながすNeutralTo urge or prompt, as in 「注意を促す」; 「迫る」 is harsher, with a coercive edge.
• Related催促さいそくNeutralNoun for pressing someone to honor an agreement, e.g. chasing payment or a reply; 「迫る」 is broader and also covers closing in physically.
• Related督促とくそくNeutralNoun for supervising someone to pay up, mostly taxes and debts, issued by the overseeing side; 「迫る」 is not limited to such targets.
• Related要求ようきゅうNeutralNoun for a demand or requirement, as in 「賃上げ要求」; 「迫る」 centers on pressuring someone into compliance, not necessarily face to face.
• Related要請ようせいNeutralA formal request, also from governments or groups to individuals, as in 「協力を要請する」 or 「外出自粛を要請する」; 「迫る」 is more forceful.
• Related請求せいきゅうNeutralTo claim something as a right, such as fees or compensation; 「迫る」 centers on forcing compliance.
• Related要望ようぼうNeutralA request asking someone to do something; 「迫る」 is stronger and carries pressure.
• Related強要きょうようNeutralTo force or extort, often with illegal overtones, as in 「強要罪」; 「迫る」 is not necessarily unlawful.
• Related駆り立てるかりたてるNeutralTo drive or spur someone into doing something, as in 「不安に駆り立てられる」; 「迫る」 centers on closing in.
• Related駆るかるNeutralWritten style, for spurring horses or being driven by emotion; 「迫る」 centers on pressing someone.
• Related叱咤しったNeutralLoud scolding or rousing encouragement, as in 「叱咤激励」; 「迫る」 centers on forcing compliance.
• Related求めるもとめるNeutralVerb for demanding or seeking, strong or mild, e.g. demanding a resignation; it lacks 「迫る」's sense of steadily closing in.
• RelatedつつくNeutralTo poke or peck, also to pick at faults; 「迫る」 centers on closing in.
• Related寄せるよせるNeutralTo bring or draw near, gather, or send; 「迫る」 carries a feeling of bearing down on someone.
• Related押し詰まるおしつまるWrittenWritten style, for the year's end nearing and for being packed tight; in daily speech use 「迫る」 or 「近づく」.
• Related責め立てるせめたてるNeutralTo criticize harshly or press hard, as in 「失敗を責め立てる」; close to 「迫る」 in its coercive sense.
• Related督励とくれいWrittenWritten style, for a superior supervising and encouraging subordinates; not used in daily talk, and 「迫る」 has no encouraging sense.
• Antonym遠ざかるとおざかるNeutralThe distance antonym: to move gradually farther away.
• Antonym退くしりぞくNeutralThe antonym in advancing versus retreating: to step back or withdraw.

Use 「迫る」 for closing in, imminent deadlines, or pressing someone to comply. For plain approaching choose 「近づく」; for urgency 「差し迫る」; for urging someone 「催促」 or 「促す」; for pressing with questions 「詰め寄る」. The antonym is 「遠ざかる」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 間隔かんかくが小ちいさくなる。
2. すぐ近ちかくにまでおしよせる。圧迫あっぱくするほどに接近せっきんする。
3. 期限きげんなどが近付ちかづく。
4. ある状況じょうきょう、状態じょうたいに近付ちかづく。
5. 余裕よゆうなどが無なくなる。困窮こんきゅうする。
6. ある事ことをするように強つよい態度たいどで求もとめる。