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
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
In March and April, when excitement should be mounting as the playoffs quickly approach, the NBA produces some of its least compelling basketball of the entire season.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
For now, the study offers a compelling possibility that black holes may not be the end of information after all.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
In March and April, when excitement should be mounting as the playoffs quickly approach, the NBA produces some of its least compelling basketball of the entire season.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
But Khanna’s reasoning—essentially, that the intense public interest in the files demands transparency and that the American public can be trusted to be judicious with unverified claims therein—is not very convincing.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That reflects poorly on the players, but Rosenior did not provide any convincing answers.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Later, as Mercury joins Mars, conversations speed up and action feels urgent.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Lawmakers issue urgent warnings.—
Dan Romito,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Let the day unfold instead of forcing it.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
-
At a retrial last summer, jurors found Weinstein guilty of assaulting another victim, Miriam Haley, but deadlocked on the charge relating to Mann, forcing prosecutors to try the charge for a third time.—
Karla Cote,
Variety,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As in the less conclusive first season, it feels engineered to deliver the characters to happy, or relatively happy, endings, and to send viewers out not regretting their investment of time.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
As in the less conclusive first season, it feels engineered to deliver the characters to happy, or relatively happy, endings, and to send viewers out not regretting their investment of time.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities determined Ucovich died from acute fentanyl intoxication.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The problem is particularly acute in facilities management.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 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
-
Central bankers must be strong enough to listen to a diversity of views from all corners…humble enough to be open-minded to new ideas and new economic developments…wise enough to translate imperfect data into meaningful insight…and dedicated enough to make judgments faithfully and wisely.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The project increases Georgia’s already strong presence in the growing defense industry.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
21 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 24 Apr. 2026.
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