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
-
How Deborah sets the record straight, once and for all, may not be as convincing as some may hope, but the spirit of her choice matters more than the specifics.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Mistaking a Replica for a Real Antique Replicas of antiques are so good nowadays, with stores like HomeGoods and Anthropologie often selling convincing dupes.—
Shelby Deering,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
One answer would be that the more savage the storm, the more urgent the need for safe havens.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Simandl was then rushed to Tampa General Hospital for urgent treatment and was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) — a rare and aggressive form of leukemia where immature white blood cells multiply uncontrollably, preventing the body from producing healthy blood cells.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Grand Prairie in 2020, a natural gas leak ignited under a roadway, resulting in a fireball and forcing nearby evacuations.—
Lexi Salazar,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Higher oil prices are straining import-dependent economies, while currency volatility is forcing some central banks to intervene more actively in foreign exchange markets, said market watchers.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
To be clear, there is little credible scholarly evidence that EdTech, in general, improves learning outcomes, and no conclusive evidence that generative AI improves learning outcomes over traditional human teaching.—
Dr. Timothy Scott,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Key Takeaways Taking vitamin C supplements daily may slightly lower blood pressure, but results are not conclusive.—
Vanessa Caceres,
Verywell Health,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More than this many people face acute hunger, according to the World Food Program.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
In Baltimore, where economic disparities are more acute, the consequences are magnified.—
Brian Walter,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Snow fell on and off during the day in Clear Creek County's higher elevations, but at the time of the crash a quick burst of heavy accumulation and strong winds led to dangerously slick road conditions.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 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 15 Apr. 2026.
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