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
Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
For a brand best known today for icons like the Reverso, the exhibition made a compelling case that its Atmos is not merely a decorative side chapter.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
By then, the mainstream media was paying close attention to Gawker with a mix of fascination over its scoops and chatty, compelling voices, and condescension because its journalistic standards were not as strict as theirs.
—Frank Digiacomo, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
For a brand best known today for icons like the Reverso, the exhibition made a compelling case that its Atmos is not merely a decorative side chapter.
—Taylor Stoddard, Robb Report, 8 May 2026
Verb
City staff, however, expressed concerns about the request, compelling the recycling plant to instead propose a new shear in the same location as the current one and reducing the new shear's size.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
In the Catholic Conference, Katie Maheu had four goals and three assists to help lift Ursuline to a convincing 24-1 victory over Fontbonne.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
-
Those business partners were doing that hard piece of convincing managers, agents, and promoters to take the risk — and the promoters finally agreed.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
There were also objections from bigger carriers such as United, which had an urgent financial interest in seeing the back of a pesky cheap competitor.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Pay attention to what feels sustainable, not just urgent.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 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
-
The longer answer is that there are pages and pages of old FBI records, unresolved cases, eyewitness interviews, and the usual grainy, black-and-white images that show dots but nothing remotely conclusive about aliens, alien spaceships, or any alien technology.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
-
No definitive motive, supported by conclusive evidence, has been identified yet.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 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 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
