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
Ryan Kellman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
When your idea of Cape Cod living includes golf course views and zero yard work, 111 Reflection Drive makes a compelling case in Sandwich.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In season four, Mike’s (Renner) 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.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
That knowledge was immediately compelling to local fishermen in coastal Cambodia, Khiev says.
—Ryan Kellman, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
When your idea of Cape Cod living includes golf course views and zero yard work, 111 Reflection Drive makes a compelling case in Sandwich.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
In season four, Mike’s (Renner) 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.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
While all of us may have shared certain elements, Frank’s work was the most effective, the most authentic, and the most convincing.—
Rem Koolhaas,
Artforum,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The scam artists are reportedly using real names of Sheriff's Office staff and accessing public arrest records to seem more convincing.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Pundits say the public is too divided, the issues too technical, and the competition with China too urgent for democracy.—
Justin Rosenstein,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Decisions move farther from classrooms, reforms take longer to implement and urgent problems become administrative processes.—
Daniel L Gordon,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The video shows Ritchson riding on the motorbike when a man, Taylor, steps in front of the bike, forcing Ritchson to stop.—
Austin Mullen,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Nothing might seem to have longer odds in deep-red Oklahoma than an effort to lessen punishments for violent crimes, but overcrowded prisons and rising costs were already forcing a rethinking of harsh, decades-old sentencing laws.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The research isn’t conclusive, however.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The broader data is less conclusive on mental health benefits, said West, perhaps because participants get anxious about the programs ending, coupled with the rising cost of living.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
They are commonly treated with medical interventions like medications and surgeries — which, while extremely helpful for acute pain, often saving limbs and lives — are considerably less helpful for chronic pain.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
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Like others, Toledo said surging gas prices have piled on to other rising costs and stagnant wages, making the pain more acute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meyers is also accused of coercing the 15-year-old into recording the high school’s wrestling team, the complaint alleges.—
Brittany Kubicko,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Guevara and two colleagues, Mason and then-Detective Ernest Halvorson, orchestrated a frame-up by coercing one witness to identify Rios by beating him with a phone book and flashlight, and another by threatening to charge him with obstruction, according to the plaintiffs’ allegations.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Congressional Progressive Caucus, which includes roughly 100 House Democrats, has formally opposed a reauthorization without changes to the program, marking its strongest stance yet against Section 702 and complicating the path forward for GOP leadership, according to the Hill.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
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Like a magic potion in a fairy tale, these liquid cleanses promised clear skin, strong nails, shiny hair, and gut health.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Mar. 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
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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 31 Mar. 2026.
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