- present participle of compel.
compelling
Americanadjective
-
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.
adjective
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arousing or denoting strong interest, esp admiring interest
-
(of an argument, evidence, etc) convincing
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of compelling
Explanation
Compelling means attractive, or irresistible, or really, really convincing. You know your argument for backpacking across Europe is compelling when your parents not only let you go but also pay for all your expenses. To compel is to drive or force into action –– the way the fear of being grounded might compel you to come home before your curfew. A compelling argument compels you to agree with its logic –– it's irresistible. If you decide to run for class president, you'll need to write a compelling speech about why students should vote for you.
Vocabulary lists containing compelling
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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.
Researchers at TU Wien have now provided compelling evidence that they can.
From Science Daily • Jul. 8, 2026
Which, when you think about it, is a pretty compelling argument for not pouring that jar down the drain.
From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026
“We believe this dislocation marks the most compelling entry point into the sector in a generation,” Wedbush said, pointing to potential growth drivers such as the U.S.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026
Both analysts rate the shares Buy and see a compelling strategic rationale for the deal.
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” is an almost 200-year-old song that remains compelling and still very popular today.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
