- 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
-
arousing or denoting strong interest, esp admiring interest
-
(of an argument, evidence, etc) convincing
Other Word Forms
Derived 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.
“We are entering an investment environment that we believe is especially compelling for corporate direct lending,” BCRED’s managers said in an investor letter.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
Luna believes that while stories about what surrounds the sport are compelling, there are no good movies that focus on the action on the field.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
“Originally celebrated for its connection to former owner Richard Simmons and the private sanctuary he created, the property is now being reintroduced as a compelling canvas for transformation,” Rosten explained.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
"It used to be that in the battle for attention, what counted was not only do you have a compelling message, but can you deliver?" he asks.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
“You’ve presented a very compelling argument,” she says to me.
From "The Misfits" by James Howe
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.
