Definition of compelling
: that compels: such asa : forceful a compelling personality a compelling desireb : demanding attention for compelling reasons The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.c : convincing no compelling evidence
compellingly
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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 of compelling from the Web
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A more compelling villain would have helped matters, and one scene in which Diana brutally impales a foe with her sword is an incongruous fit with the movie’s overall tone.
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A lackluster postseason could be salvaged by a close, compelling series, which was the result of an NBA 2K17 simulation that ended with Durant leading the Warriors to a Game 7 rout.
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These are exactly the type of things that keep the DreamWorks adaptation compelling.
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As told in this compelling stage story, young Freda Josephine was made to leave her family's home at age 8 when her mother, who worked as a laundress, arranged for to work as a live-in maid for wealthy family.
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There are no easy answers nor a battle victor in this compelling production, which features lighting by Nate Cargill, costumes by Alanna Serrano and sound by Alex Guzman.
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That's also a compelling question underneath both Pip's journey and that of the convict, Magwitch (Robert D. Hardaway), who ends up playing a crucial role in his life.
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And while her use of technology is a foundational — and often mind-bending — aspect of her work, just as compelling is her dedication to the painstaking hand craftsmanship that characterizes traditional haute couture.
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This is a deeply compelling example of historical memory with the bark off.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compelling'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of compelling
see compel
First Known Use: 1606
COMPELLING Defined for English Language Learners
compelling
playDefinition of compelling for English Language Learners
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: very interesting : able to capture and hold your attention
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: capable of causing someone to believe or agree
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: strong and forceful : causing you to feel that you must do something
Law Dictionary
compelling
Legal Definition of compelling
: that compels : tending to demand action or to convince a compelling need for disclosure a compelling argument
Learn More about compelling
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See words that rhyme with compelling Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for compelling Spanish Central: Translation of compelling Nglish: Translation of compelling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of compelling for Arabic speakers
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