Synonyms of compelling

compelling 1 of 2

adjective

kəm-ˈpe-liŋ 

1

as in convincing

having the power to persuade

made a compelling argument against military intervention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• convincing
• conclusive
• strong
• persuasive
• effective
• satisfying
• valid
• decisive
• cogent
• definitive
• forceful
• authoritative
• telling
• important
• significant
• relevant
• sound
• pertinent
• well-founded
• material
• weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ineffective
• unconvincing
• inconclusive
• indecisive
• unpersuasive
• shaky
• uncompelling
• unfounded
• invalid
• insignificant
• unimportant
• unsound
• irrelevant
• groundless
• inconsequential
• immaterial
• weak
• feeble

2

as in urgent

needing immediate attention

no compelling need to raise taxes at this time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urgent
• acute
• intense
• critical
• emergent
• pressing
• imperative
• dire
• desperate
• crying
• serious
• instant
• exigent
• importunate
• necessitous
• crucial
• immediate
• insistent
• imperious
• clamant
• burning
• extreme
• overriding
• dangerous
• demanding
• hazardous
• vital
• life-and-death
• explosive
• perilous
• precarious
• severe
• unstable
• grave

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• trivial
• minor
• incidental
• negligible
• unimportant
• stable
• safe
• low-pressure
• noncritical
• nonurgent
• nonthreatening

compelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of compel

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

• forcing
• coercing
• obliging
• obligating
• driving
• impelling
• intimidating
• constraining
• pressuring
• impressing
• pressing
• blackmailing
• making
• bullying
• blackjacking
• muscling
• dragooning
• sandbagging
• threatening
• twisting one's arm
• menacing
• hectoring
• browbeating
• badgering
• terrorizing
• bulldozing
• cowing
• dragging
• shaming
• harassing
• high-pressuring
• hounding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• allowing
• permitting
• letting
• moving
• satisfying
• talking (into)
• arguing
• winning (over)
• inducing
• prevailing (on or upon)
• convincing
• persuading

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compelling

Adjective

The continent has fewer high-growth companies, shallower capital markets and is thought to have a less compelling long-term earnings growth story. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Bill Hing, professor of law and migration at the University of San Francisco, said Soboleva has a compelling case. — Itay Hod, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Verb

His mission is to keep photos of the lounge off social media, compelling the curious to come in and see it for themselves. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 8 July 2026

Selaocoe extends that feeling after the song ends by once again compelling the audience to join him in song. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 22 May 2026