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
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Even so, the risk-reward of going for it was compelling.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
The government’s motion argues that the order violates the Constitution’s Appropriations Clause and separation of powers by compelling the Executive Branch to spend unappropriated money.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
Meta is also set to capitalize on two compelling AI opportunities.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Even so, the risk-reward of going for it was compelling.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
The House is set to vote next week on a contentious bill compelling the release of all the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein case files.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025
The government’s motion argues that the order violates the Constitution’s Appropriations Clause and separation of powers by compelling the Executive Branch to spend unappropriated money.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
But how to interpret data, how to cross-reference a fact, and how to write a convincing essay are higher-level transferable skills.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This is the ultimate trap game, coming after a convincing win at UNLV and before the showdown at second-place Utah State on Saturday on big-boy CBS.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Health officials in Gaza say tens of thousands of residents with urgent medical needs are seeking evacuation through Rafah, underscoring the pressure on the crossing even as access remains tightly controlled.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Unable to work a traditional job and with a toddler to care for, money also was a constant concern for Franyelis, making her return to Venezuela all the more urgent.—
Maeva Bambuck,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rodríguez is the closest of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects after starting last season at High-A, forcing his way to Double-A, and earning a brief promotion to Triple-A for his last start of the year.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Similarly, many public schools in Chicago, and across Illinois, are facing low enrollment and financial strain forcing families to look elsewhere for their education.—
Froylan Jimenez,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Florida law makes grand jury proceedings secret, so the silence isn’t conclusive.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
-
However, with the stock reaching new peaks and the story well recognized, is this the conclusive phase of a momentum chase or a sustainable revaluation?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The impact has been especially acute in Minneapolis.—
Serena Maria Daniels,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The abrupt removal of Maduro left a vacuum that was quickly filled by Rodríguez, who assumed the interim presidency in a moment of acute political and institutional uncertainty.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The decision typically comes down to whether the government is coercing the public and specifics about who's involved and the intent.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Investigators accuse him of coercing middle school football players to perform nude exercises in a locker room and secretly photographing them in various stages of undress.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The aging expert later developed other biological aging clocks, including models shown in studies to be strong predictors of mortality risk.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
By Monday, any lingering concerns about Warsh or his history of hawkishness had been largely put aside as Wall Street turned its attention to surprisingly strong US manufacturing data.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The article is the key mutual defense clause, obliging all member countries to come to the aid of another member whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might be under threat.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
-
After obliging, the rapper started to riff by adding some new insults.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
22 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
