compelling C1 Topic:Mind & Cognition 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... pressingurgent Word family Derived forms compellingnessuncompelling Common collocations a compelling reason Adjective + noun compelling read Adjective + noun compelling evidence Adjective + noun Etymology AI details By surface analysis, compel + -ing. Topics Mind & Cognition Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # 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 - Mind & Cognition - Actions & Processes - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown