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

The director leaves Turner, on the other hand, mostly stranded in a forgettable role that never makes Owen compelling beyond his availability. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Those are the kinds of messy, unresolved questions that make women’s sports so compelling right now, and there’s a great show to be made about this moment. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026

Citizens’ mountains of overseas assets presented a compelling target. — Anniek Bao,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

The main event features a compelling featherweight clash between Yair Rodriguez and Jean Silva. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 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