compelling
[kuh m-pel-ing]
- tending to compel, as to force or push toward a course of action; overpowering: There were compelling reasons for their divorce.
- having a powerful and irresistible effect; requiring acute admiration, attention, or respect: a man of compelling integrity; a compelling drama.
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Origin of compelling
compel
[kuhm-pel]
- to force or drive, especially to a course of action: His disregard of the rules compels us to dismiss him.
- to secure or bring about by force.
- to force to submit; subdue.
- to overpower.
- Archaic. to drive together; unite by force; herd.
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- to use force.
- to have a powerful and irresistible effect, influence, etc.
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Origin of compel
1350–1400; Middle English compellen (< Anglo-French) < Latin compellere to crowd, force, equivalent to com- com- + pellere to push, drive
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
3. Compel, impel agree in the idea of using physical or other force to cause something to be done. Compel means to constrain someone, in some way, to yield or to do what one wishes: to compel a recalcitrant debtor to pay; Fate compels us to face danger and trouble. Impel may mean literally to push forward, but is usually applied figuratively, meaning to provide a strong motive or incentive toward a certain end: Wind impels a ship. Curiosity impels me to ask.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for compelling
Contemporary Examples
I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.
And some of the most compelling statements came from a powerful, crucial set of equality allies: corporations.
Corporations Are No Longer Silent on LGBT IssuesDecember 24, 2014
On Thursday, Detective Superintendent McDonald described his account as “harrowing” and compelling.
The refugee stories are compelling at first, but horrific details are numbing.
And those moments of full control are among the least compelling.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the ThroatAlec Kubas-Meyer
December 13, 2014
Historical Examples
His senses breathed the air of her perfect and compelling femininity.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
And then, as the other nodded in assent, she spoke with a compelling kindliness.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Now there was something so compelling about her tone that he bent all his faculties to the task.
Quaint CourtshipsVarious
Some women went by, compelling Salvat to step off the foot-pavement.
The Three Cities Trilogy, CompleteEmile Zola
The heritage was too compelling for a wolf that was only a cub.
White FangJack London
compelling
- arousing or denoting strong interest, esp admiring interest
- (of an argument, evidence, etc) convincing
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compel
- to cause (someone) by force (to be or do something)
- to obtain by force; exactto compel obedience
- to overpower or subdue
- archaic to herd or drive together
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin compellere to drive together, from com- together + pellere to drive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for compelling
adj.
c.1600, present participle adjective from compel. Meaning "irresistible" is from 1901. Related: Compellingly.
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compel
v.
mid-14c., from Old French compellir, from Latin compellere "to drive together, drive to one place" (of cattle), "to force or compel" (of persons), from com- "together" (see com-) + pellere "to drive" (see pulse (n.1)). Related: Compelled; compelling.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper