compelling

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ See IPA manual

Freq #11004

Meanings

1

adj
So interesting or exciting that it holds your full attention.

The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.
2

adj
Strong enough to make you believe or agree with something.

The lawyer made a compelling argument that convinced the whole jury.
3

adj
So strong or urgent that it forces you to act.

I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · so interesting or exciting... gripping

2 adj · strong enough to make you... convincing

3 adj · so strong or urgent that it... pressing urgent

Word family

Derived forms compellingnessuncompelling

Appears in

Phrases (3)

See all

Etymology

By surface analysis, compel + -ing.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# compelling

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/
**Frequency rank:** 11004

## Meanings
1. So interesting or exciting that it holds your full attention.
2. Strong enough to make you believe or agree with something.
3. So strong or urgent that it forces you to act.

## Examples
- The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.
- The lawyer made a compelling argument that convinced the whole jury.
- I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.

## Derived Forms
- compellingness
- uncompelling

## Etymology
By surface analysis, compel + -ing.

## AI Etymology
Compelling is formed by surface analysis from compel + -ing. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adjectival form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include so interesting or exciting that it holds your full attention, strong enough to make you believe or agree with something, and so strong or urgent that it forces you to act. The wider family includes derived forms such as compellingness and uncompelling.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown