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.
—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
For researchers looking to train the next generation of frontier models, access to Google’s vast fleets of custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) remains one of the most compelling recruiting tools in the industry.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
And the Supreme Court's ruling says that this means those people'spunishments are not extraordinary or compelling, as the compassionate release program mandates.
—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
23 June 2026
Priority will be given to works that take an entertainment-first approach while encouraging audiences to envision solutions and possibilities through compelling characters and narratives.
—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
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Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
For researchers looking to train the next generation of frontier models, access to Google’s vast fleets of custom Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) remains one of the most compelling recruiting tools in the industry.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
23 June 2026
And the Supreme Court's ruling says that this means those people'spunishments are not extraordinary or compelling, as the compassionate release program mandates.
—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
23 June 2026
Priority will be given to works that take an entertainment-first approach while encouraging audiences to envision solutions and possibilities through compelling characters and narratives.
—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compelling. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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