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
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Recent Examples of compelling
Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2025
Leede crafts a deeply compelling descent through an unraveling heartland.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 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
Pfau said that neither study makes a compelling case for beta blockers versus no beta blockers for this select group of patients.
—Dr. Jennifer Miao, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2025
Leede crafts a deeply compelling descent through an unraveling heartland.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 Aug. 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
-
For his part, Law, who will premiere his own film this week, provided an excellently convincing argument in the fiery northern Mediterranean man-fashion white-dinner-jacket debate that a double-breasted’s peaked lapels should each properly be the dimension of an aircraft carrier deck.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Week 1 will tell us a lot about both teams, but a convincing win for the Bills could truly cement them as the team to beat in the AFC.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Conversations about gun violence in Chicago can no longer focus solely on homicide and must be expanded to also integrate urgent matters of suicide prevention.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
This highlights the urgent need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being and create a more balanced, sustainable work culture.—
Clare Miller,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The legislation will limit repayment options and cap borrowing limits for graduate students, including eliminating Graduate PLUS loans, forcing more students to apply for private loans or reconsider their education options.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The outbreak was forcing a shortage of eggs as well, leading some grocers to restrict how many dozens of eggs consumers could buy per visit.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 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
-
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
-
That same sentence will remain for anyone found guilty of tricking, pressuring or coercing someone into making the choice if the bill is ultimately passed.—
David Hodari,
NBC News,
29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Reese wants to skip through the rebuilding process, but doing so has already put Chicago in a position in which building a stronger talent base is going to be much more difficult.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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Speaking to the crowd before the march, Eve Devitt, an Idaho human rights activist, said that LGBTQ+ history is built on fighting for rights, which makes the community stronger.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
6 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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