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
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The novel ended with Lecter writing letters to Chilton and Clarice, which was deemed not visually compelling enough for the movie.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was hosting a roundtable featuring seven Ohioans sharing stories about the financial pain that bloated health-care costs had inflicted on their families, compelling them to scale back their medical care.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
This one has persisted long enough to stand tall as arguably the most compelling of the 2020s.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
The novel ended with Lecter writing letters to Chilton and Clarice, which was deemed not visually compelling enough for the movie.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
The lawsuit Paxton brought against the company sought compensation for economic losses, civil penalties and a court order compelling the company to take corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was hosting a roundtable featuring seven Ohioans sharing stories about the financial pain that bloated health-care costs had inflicted on their families, compelling them to scale back their medical care.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
Over the course of two semi-final first legs, VAR’s conviction has been less than convincing.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But, while Warsh may favor lower rates, there currently isn’t a convincing economic argument for easier monetary policy anytime soon — a view that three key Fed voters telegraphed at this meeting.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This intent aligned with the nation’s urgent emphasis on education as a defense against mob rule.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Yet instead of addressing those urgent challenges, state leaders have chosen to spend time and taxpayer dollars engineering political advantage.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The staff union picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA building, where those negotiations were held for the first two weeks, blocking entrances to the parking garage and forcing negotiators to cross a picket line to get inside.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And yes, the replay should be conclusive.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
While there is little conclusive, specific data on the relationship between mortality and long-term medication treatment, studies show that, in general, longer treatment durations yield better outcomes.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After the primary autopsy, the coroner concluded Jackson's death was from acute Propofol intoxication, which caused the singer to go into cardiac arrest, NPR reported.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Almost half are personally afraid of losing their job to AI, ranking it among the most acute individual stressors measured in the survey.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Indonesia responded the following day by coercing the UDT and APODETI, among others, into issuing and signing the Balibo Declaration, which proclaimed the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.—
Agathe Demarolle,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Set one clear boundary today and confirm expectations so your commitments stay strong and manageable.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In civil aerospace, for example, Rolls is benefiting as manufacturers Airbus and Boeing struggle to deliver new aircraft at the pace the market requires — obliging airlines to keep flying old planes (and their engines) for longer.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Black has sometimes driven for miles to a particular cemetery only to find a funeral under way, obliging him to leave empty-handed.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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