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
Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
A certain recalcitrance has always been part of what makes Rosalía so compelling.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
Here are the most compelling storylines to follow in each of this weekend’s playoff contests.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
A certain recalcitrance has always been part of what makes Rosalía so compelling.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
San Mateo County has yet to release spending and contract records from a misconduct investigation into Sheriff Christina Corpus, despite a court order more than three weeks ago compelling their disclosure.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
The Gators found their offensive flow and applied the defensive clamps against the high-scoring Bulldogs during a convincing and pivotal 92-77 win Tuesday night at the O’Connell Center.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
-
After pulling away in the second half, Old Rochester continued building league momentum with a convincing 54-32 victory.—
Zach McMahon,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And there is another urgent area requiring our attention.—
Sacramento Bee staff,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The administration’s enthusiasm to improve America’s health has real, urgent promise.—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That simple change would introduce real competition, allowing merchants to choose lower-cost options and forcing the dominant players to compete on price and service--just like any other market.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Jackson remains optimistic that Medicaid cuts will spur a public backlash against lawmakers, forcing Congress to reverse Medicaid cuts before additional layoffs are necessary.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Though home blood pressure monitors are effective, a healthcare provider can provide more accurate and conclusive results.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Despite numerous conclusive assessments that the Saudi regime planned and perpetrated Khashoggi’s murder, the high-level officials who ordered his execution have gone unpunished, six years on.—
Scott Griffen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
While these changes will impact the country as a whole, the effect here in Indiana could be particularly acute, environmentalists say.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
6 Jan. 2026
-
On January 5, less than one week after Tatiana died at just 35 years old of acute myeloid leukemia on December 30, Jack honored her with several moving quotes—including one from Tatiana herself.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This would likely mean seizing more resources inside Yemen—for example, by capturing the oil-rich governorate of Marib east of Sanaa—or by coercing Saudi Arabia into offering new financial concessions.—
April Longley Alley,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Dec. 2025
-
There were more damning allegations made by Burrowes against Diddy, which included Combs coercing Burrowes to make changes in Biggie’s record deal with Bad Boy to make the terms more lucrative and favorable for the label.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Also at tight end, Jackson Verdugo, who had a strong freshman season, is due back, and FIU signed incoming freshmen Davis Brown and Ayden Passley.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Nicole says Hannah did get better and stronger — strong enough that Hannah's neurologist told her the whole story.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After obliging, the rapper started to riff by adding some new insults.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Even in that short call, Paulson masterfully rides a roller coaster of emotion, from being starstruck over Crawford, bullied into skipping her big moment, to obliging her out of pity.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share