1
as in convincing
having the power to persuade
made a compelling argument against military intervention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
no compelling need to raise taxes at this time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compelling
Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
For a brand best known today for icons like the Reverso, the exhibition made a compelling case that its Atmos is not merely a decorative side chapter.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 24 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit Paxton brought against the company sought compensation for economic losses, civil penalties and a court order compelling the company to take corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
By then, the mainstream media was paying close attention to Gawker with a mix of fascination over its scoops and chatty, compelling voices, and condescension because its journalistic standards were not as strict as theirs.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
For a brand best known today for icons like the Reverso, the exhibition made a compelling case that its Atmos is not merely a decorative side chapter.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Verb
City staff, however, expressed concerns about the request, compelling the recycling plant to instead propose a new shear in the same location as the current one and reducing the new shear's size.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 24 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit Paxton brought against the company sought compensation for economic losses, civil penalties and a court order compelling the company to take corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary and one of Labour’s more convincing politicians, was one of several ministers who asked the Prime Minister to set a timetable for his departure.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
The recreations were so convincing that visitors from Tennessee believed the film had shot on location.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
There were also objections from bigger carriers such as United, which had an urgent financial interest in seeing the back of a pesky cheap competitor.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Pay attention to what feels sustainable, not just urgent.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The windshield on a Southwest Airlines flight cracked May 11, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Oklahoma, federal aviation officials said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
As the village erupts into full-scale panic, the emergency evolves into a darker mystery, forcing the cop to confront a seemingly impossible reality.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The longer answer is that there are pages and pages of old FBI records, unresolved cases, eyewitness interviews, and the usual grainy, black-and-white images that show dots but nothing remotely conclusive about aliens, alien spaceships, or any alien technology.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
-
No definitive motive, supported by conclusive evidence, has been identified yet.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Danh was initially hospitalized overseas on April 9, doctors diagnosed her with acute liver failure, among other serious health issues.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
So that may be kind of the most acute pain point for travelers, but the summer storms are still going to be coming.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit also claims officers choked Day and slammed him against a wall, eventually coercing him into confessing to killing Irving and Garcia.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori continued to provide balance against Atletico three days later, and were also key components to Arsenal’s strong start against West Ham, alongside Leandro Trossard.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
The case that Ashton and Bradley heavily influenced each other is stronger, if also strained.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In civil aerospace, for example, Rolls is benefiting as manufacturers Airbus and Boeing struggle to deliver new aircraft at the pace the market requires — obliging airlines to keep flying old planes (and their engines) for longer.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Black has sometimes driven for miles to a particular cemetery only to find a funeral under way, obliging him to leave empty-handed.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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