compelling

adjective

com·​pel·​ling kəm-ˈpe-liŋ 

: that compels: such as

a

: forceful

a compelling personality

a compelling desire

b

: demanding attention

for compelling reasons

The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.

c

: convincing

no compelling evidence

compellingly adverb

Synonyms

• cogent
• conclusive
• convincing
• decisive
• effective
• forceful
• persuasive
• satisfying
• strong
• telling

Examples of compelling in a Sentence

The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.

He made a compelling argument.

I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.

She had a compelling need to share what she had heard.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gates offers an incredibly compelling premise, shedding light on the scale of military propaganda in the United States, but in taking on so much, her film ends up not saying enough. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025

Miami Herald Linda Robertson has written about a variety of compelling subjects during an award-winning career. —Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

And, in each of the film’s most compelling scenes, also a plea: to save them. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025

This is the one that introduced this brand new world and its compelling characters to us for the first time, but all of its elements were vastly improved in its sequels. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of compel

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

compelling

adjective

: that compels : tending to demand action or to convince

a compelling need for disclosure

a compelling argument