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 of compelling

• convincing
• conclusive
• strong

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

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

Whether Romangic converts that friction into a compelling argument for its annual plan or loses users at the paywall, could influence WayShot’s trajectory more than any feature update. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 12 May 2026

As the retail landscape continues to shift, VEVOR’s Texas debut serves as a compelling case study. —Lucy Jones may 12, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has long set herself apart as a different kind of politician with a compelling personal story. —ABC News, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of compel

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for compelling

• bookselling
• channelling
• dispelling
• excelling
• expelling
• foretelling
• impelling
• indwelling
• labelling
• levelling
• marvelling
• misspelling

Legal Definition

compelling

adjective

: that compels : tending to demand action or to convince

a compelling need for disclosure

a compelling argument