Definition
Compelling is an adjective used to describe something that is extremely convincing or persuasive. It can refer to an argument, evidence, or a person’s personality or actions.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of speech
Adjective
Synonyms
Convincing, persuasive, powerful, captivating, impressive
Antonyms
Unconvincing, unpersuasive, weak, unimpressive, boring
Example sentences
- The compelling evidence presented in court convinced the jury of the defendant’s guilt.
- His speech was so compelling that even his opponents were swayed to his point of view.
- The compelling storyline of the movie kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
- The singer’s compelling performance moved many in the audience to tears.
Usage
The word “compelling” is often used to describe something that is able to strongly persuade or influence people. It can be used in various contexts such as in law, marketing, literature, and public speaking.
The root word “compel” means to force or make someone do something. In the context of “compelling,” it does not necessarily imply force or coercion, but rather a strong and convincing appeal to one’s senses or intellect.
The word “compelling” can also be used as a noun, meaning an irresistible force or motivation. For example, “Her love for music was a compelling that drove her to pursue a career in it.” In this context, it implies an internal motivation or drive, rather than an external force.
There are also various prefixes and suffixes that can be added to “compelling” to modify its meaning. For example, “uncompelling” would mean not convincing or not persuasive, while “hypercompelling” would imply an even stronger degree of persuasion
