compelling

American  

[kuhm-pel-ing] / kəmˈpɛl ɪŋ /

adjective

1. tending to compel, as to force or push toward a course of action; overpowering.

   There were compelling reasons for their divorce.

2. having a powerful and irresistible effect; requiring acute admiration, attention, or respect.

   a man of compelling integrity; a compelling drama.

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compelling British  

/ kəmˈpɛlɪŋ /

adjective

1. arousing or denoting strong interest, esp admiring interest

2. (of an argument, evidence, etc) convincing

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Other Word Forms

• uncompelling adjective

Etymology

Origin of compelling

First recorded in 1490–1500; compel + -ing ²

Example Sentences

For the first time, no couples said “I do” on Netflix’s reality dating show, but it’s the journey to the altar that’s the most compelling part of this series.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Leon’s staging and Ms. DiDonato’s performance built a compelling arc: The real Christmas miracle is not Amahl’s sudden cure, but the transformation of the Mother’s abject despair into hope.

From The Wall Street Journal

Below are three compelling charts that highlight this underlying strength.

From Barron's

“The Worlds I See” is also a scientific autobiography, a compelling account of Li’s personal and intellectual journey from the impoverished circumstances of a Chinese immigrant family life to a wealthy and world-leading university lab.

From Los Angeles Times

The Justice Department released a library of files on Friday related to Jeffrey Epstein, partially complying with a new federal law compelling their release, while acknowledging that hundreds of thousands of files remain sealed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fascinating