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

• cogent
• conclusive
• convincing
• decisive
• effective
• forceful
• persuasive
• satisfying
• strong
• telling

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 Spirit and Pride’s rivalry is quickly becoming one of the most compelling matchups in the league. —Asli Pelit, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025

Either way, there do not appear to be many other compelling paths for either Cargill or Naomi to take after WrestleMania 41 that don’t involve each other. —Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

The Justice Department previously concluded there were no competition concerns compelling enough to block the deal, according to news reports. —Chris Prentice and Saeed Azhar, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

There was one hole in Russo’s otherwise compelling critique. —Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of compel

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for compelling

• bookselling
• dispelling
• excelling
• expelling
• foretelling
• impelling
• indwelling
• labelling
• marvelling
• misspelling
• modelling
• panelling

Legal Definition

compelling

adjective

: that compels : tending to demand action or to convince

a compelling need for disclosure

a compelling argument