compelling

1 of 2

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 entry 1

no compelling evidence

compellingly adverb

compelling

2 of 2

present participle of compel

Synonyms of compelling

Adjective

• convincing
• conclusive
• strong

Examples of compelling in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

And her patients and the attention that this young doctor brought to her patients was so compelling to read despite the amount of time that had passed between us. — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Once a model meets the quality bar for the job, that price difference becomes compelling. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

But China has a vision that, for many, may be more compelling. — John Liu, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Archer was a compelling and different captain from those who came before him. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of compel

First Known Use

Adjective

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