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

Yellowstone elevated television to a new level, and did so without special effects or CGI, but instead via a combination of compelling story, strong writing and acting, and cinematography that rivaled that of movies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not all rugby matches are as compelling as that between France and England on Saturday evening.

From BBC

It was a compelling contest which went down to the wire, with two state schools playing high-octane rugby in front of a passionate crowd of over a thousand people.

From BBC

Well, we're going to, because Poland's top-flight Ekstraklasa is both sublime and ridiculous this season - chaotic, competitive and overachieving in compelling narratives.

From BBC

Prime among the reasons why it is such a compelling competition is the Stadium Course itself.

From BBC

Related Words

• fascinating