1
as in convincing
having the power to persuade
made a compelling argument against military intervention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
no compelling need to raise taxes at this time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compelling
Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
This is compelling in its own right, as the current practice facility (Joe Craft Center) was built in 2007 and athletics director Mitch Barnhart's reluctance to erect a new one was a catalyst in coach John Calipari's departure.
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
This approach would have put unions on the defensive, compelling them to confront the state’s dire financial realities.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
The most compelling pop cultural evidence to this point is the Lauren Conrad Maxim.
—Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
This is compelling in its own right, as the current practice facility (Joe Craft Center) was built in 2007 and athletics director Mitch Barnhart's reluctance to erect a new one was a catalyst in coach John Calipari's departure.
—Payton Titus, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
In season four, Mike’s control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
This approach would have put unions on the defensive, compelling them to confront the state’s dire financial realities.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
Moreno said Echevarría’s lawyers failed to provide convincing evidence that Expedia Group facilitated the bookings and that the holding company could not be held liable for the actions of its subsidiary.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Their good cop-bad cop ploy doesn’t seem to be particularly convincing or even fear-inspiring to the suspects of the congregation.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
TeamSmile also launched a new pilot program to deliver essential dental care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), highlighting the urgent need for accessible treatment for these kids.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
-
This means distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, eliminating unnecessary metrics and communications, clarifying policies, and setting clear expectations.—
Kotter,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The storm reshaped the coastline, forcing a rushed build and rebuild of the course.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Wildfires destroyed 12,000 structures around Altadena and Pacific Palisades – cutting housing supply and forcing victims to seek new living arrangements.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The geranium and the gingko tree yield data but no conclusive results.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But there are some good supporting turns, starting with Henry, Tony’s main Interpol contact, who appears from early episodes to be a good guy the leads are mistaking for a bad guy, although nothing is completely conclusive there right away.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Some people with antiphospholipid syndrome—a condition associated with the formation of blood clots—can experience chorea (involuntary muscle movements) or acute changes in cognition (one of my patients was diagnosed after becoming markedly confused).—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The first stage, the acute phase, happens shortly after the infection, and the second stage, the chronic phase, occurs over a longer period of time.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The allegations come amid the ongoing fallout of felony perjury and bribery charges filed in 2023 against Tran, who is accused of paying off and coercing a witness in a separate 2011 murder case.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Pressuring or coercing someone into ending their life would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.—
Alistair Smout,
USA TODAY,
29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Washington counts Qatar as a strong Gulf ally.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The audio-streaming platform has amassed a sizable free cash flow due to its strong revenue growth, a figure that has been boosted by the company's swelling active user base in recent financial quarters.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vance and his family reportedly stayed in a lavish Georgian manor owned by a light-bulb magnate, obliging me to ask whose bright idea that was.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share