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Showing results for "appealing"
  • present participle of appeal.
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Synonyms

appealing

American  
[uh-pee-ling] / əˈpi lɪŋ /

adjective

  1. evoking or attracting interest, desire, curiosity, sympathy, or the like; attractive.


appealing British  
/ əˈpiːlɪŋ /

adjective

  1. attractive or pleasing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of appealing

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; appeal + -ing 2

Explanation

The adjective appealing describes someone who is able to attract interest or is easy to like. For example, your easy sense of humor and way of making people feel comfortable make you appealing to friends old and new. If you are appealing, people want to be around you. It might be that you are really nice, or a good listener, not to mention have good looks. Actors who are appealing tend to get a lot of parts because filmmakers know audiences will flock to see them, just as an appealing description of a dish on a menu will lead more people to order it. This something is appealing, it is — or will be — popular.

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Vocabulary lists containing appealing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Cracker Barrel must decide between appealing to its most loyal diners or potentially alienating them by breaking from its roots.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 29, 2026

This combined approach could allow manufacturers to produce fries with less oil while preserving the flavor and texture that make fried foods appealing.

From Science Daily Jul. 29, 2026

And nearly 80% said affordable weekend social experiences sound appealing to them.

From MarketWatch Jul. 29, 2026

Police are appealing to the public for information.

From BBC Jul. 25, 2026

But then my future as a deserter is no more appealing.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

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