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
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.
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Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
From fragrant soul food platters off Jefferson Street homes to chic seafood towers in the Gulch, Nashville’s brunch scene makes a compelling case for booking a trip just to eat your way through a late morning.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The interview is alternately boring and compelling, offering a glimpse into an insular world of privilege and entitlement.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025
But where Enys Men — the story of a woman alone on an island who sees visions from previous centuries — is a series of scenes without much forward momentum, Rose of Nevada has compelling elements of suspense.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
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Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
From fragrant soul food platters off Jefferson Street homes to chic seafood towers in the Gulch, Nashville’s brunch scene makes a compelling case for booking a trip just to eat your way through a late morning.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The interview is alternately boring and compelling, offering a glimpse into an insular world of privilege and entitlement.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2025
But where Enys Men — the story of a woman alone on an island who sees visions from previous centuries — is a series of scenes without much forward momentum, Rose of Nevada has compelling elements of suspense.
—Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compelling. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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