compelling

[ kuhm-pel-ing ]

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.

compelling

/ kəmˈpɛlɪŋ /

adjective

1. arousing or denoting strong interest, esp admiring interest
2. (of an argument, evidence, etc) convincing

Other Words From

• uncom·pelling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compelling¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; compel + -ing ²

Example Sentences

In terms of founder characteristics, in my opinion, the best founders will be mission driven, able to tell a compelling story, and motivate others to join them.

From TechCrunch

Joe Jackman, CEO of Jackman said that for leaders, the key to successful reinvention is being able to make a clear, compelling case for change.

From Digiday

What this means, at least in the abstract, is that marketers still might be able to reach or access the data of roughly 60% of iPhone owners if their opt-in pitches are compelling.

From Search Engine Land

To imagine a world so compelling you don’t want to wake up—not until the dreamworld becomes reality.

From Singularity Hub 

That was a story that really caught our eye, so we went down to Kansas City to meet some of these women, and their stories were very, very compelling.

From Vox

The precision it took to craft such a cohesive, wholly compelling work over 12 years is nothing short of remarkable.

From The Daily Beast

I think a certain kind of compelling essay has a piece of that.

From The Daily Beast

The impulse to interpret seems to me what makes personal essay writing compelling.

From The Daily Beast

And some of the most compelling statements came from a powerful, crucial set of equality allies: corporations.

From The Daily Beast

And since visual media is more compelling than any other medium, it is consistently their drug of choice.

From The Daily Beast

Taking half a dozen men with him, and compelling the woman to act as guide, he went to the tomb in the dark.

From Project Gutenberg

The leaguers were now anxious to co-operate with the Americans in compelling the Spaniards to evacuate the Archipelago.

From Project Gutenberg

He repudiated his oath at Carlisle as extorted by force and intimidation, and professed a compelling sense of patriotism.

From Project Gutenberg

He too had the sense of adventure, and his eyes were more than usually compelling and his voice more seductive.

From Project Gutenberg

The will to live leaps into being peremptorily, more compelling and imperative at the implied challenge.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fascinating