compel
verb (used with object)
to force or drive, especially to a course of action.
had been compelling
-
past perfect progressiveof compel.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
If the music had been compelling and original, I would have been drawn in with no resistance.
From New York Times ● Jul. 10, 2013
Guy put his hand to his forehead and found that it was actually wet with the agony of what on this January afternoon he had been compelling himself to achieve.
From Plashers Mead A Novel by Compton MacKenzie
