1
as in convincing
having the power to persuade
made a compelling argument against military intervention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
no compelling need to raise taxes at this time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
public opinion compelled her to fire her scandal-plagued aide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compelling
Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
If that develops, the Cowboys may have landed one of the draft’s more compelling picks.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
Equally compelling is the discovery of 12-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi, who plays Michael during the Jackson 5’s formative years.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
If that develops, the Cowboys may have landed one of the draft’s more compelling picks.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was hosting a roundtable featuring seven Ohioans sharing stories about the financial pain that bloated health-care costs had inflicted on their families, compelling them to scale back their medical care.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The contempt proceedings are an initial step toward a criminal prosecution by the Department of Justice that, if successful, could send the Clintons to prison in a dispute over compelling them to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
Over the course of two semi-final first legs, VAR’s conviction has been less than convincing.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But, while Warsh may favor lower rates, there currently isn’t a convincing economic argument for easier monetary policy anytime soon — a view that three key Fed voters telegraphed at this meeting.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The situation sparked immediate on-the-ground reporting from journalists across the media spectrum who took to social media platforms to deliver urgent reports.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said people have reported to them and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center that they've been denied urgent and routine medical care over the past 10 months.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The staff union picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA building, where those negotiations were held for the first two weeks, blocking entrances to the parking garage and forcing negotiators to cross a picket line to get inside.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The research is not conclusive on the use of GLP-1 and Alzheimer’s, but some preliminary data is encouraging.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Experts as a whole say more research is needed to give a conclusive answer about benefits and risks.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After the primary autopsy, the coroner concluded Jackson's death was from acute Propofol intoxication, which caused the singer to go into cardiac arrest, NPR reported.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Almost half are personally afraid of losing their job to AI, ranking it among the most acute individual stressors measured in the survey.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Indonesia responded the following day by coercing the UDT and APODETI, among others, into issuing and signing the Balibo Declaration, which proclaimed the integration of East Timor into Indonesia.—
Agathe Demarolle,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan and Ella Riordan led a strong defensive effort in front of Noone.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Set one clear boundary today and confirm expectations so your commitments stay strong and manageable.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In civil aerospace, for example, Rolls is benefiting as manufacturers Airbus and Boeing struggle to deliver new aircraft at the pace the market requires — obliging airlines to keep flying old planes (and their engines) for longer.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Black has sometimes driven for miles to a particular cemetery only to find a funeral under way, obliging him to leave empty-handed.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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