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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compelling
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
The evidence is far from compelling.
—
Tamar Haspel,
Washington Post,
26 June 2026
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages.
—
Elliott Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Adjective
Citi initiates Belden as buy Citi said the electronic connecting manufacturer is compelling for long-term investors.
—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
26 June 2026
The evidence is far from compelling.
—
Tamar Haspel,
Washington Post,
26 June 2026
Verb
On March 17, the House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Bondi, compelling her to sit for a deposition about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files on April 14.
—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages.
—
Elliott Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compelling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compelling
Adjective
-
Any platform, from Zoom to Microsoft, can be compatible with scammers utilizing deepfakes, fake profiles or convincing backgrounds such as an FBI seal.
-
Instead of abstract phishing examples, show employees how much of their own digital footprint is publicly available and how easily fraudsters can turn it into a convincing fake profile, email or message.
Adjective
-
In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
-
The industry conversation around funding reform is urgent precisely because this generation deserves a system that matches their ambition and offers them a future.
Verb
-
Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
-
California previously faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits, forcing painful cuts such as a rollback last year on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
Adjective
-
That kind of research is less conclusive than clinical trials that follow subjects over time to create new and theoretically more reliable data that can do more to prove cause and effect.
-
But, again, is acting out of expediency and the desire to streamline a conclusive end the same as delivering a final season representing the best of The Bear?
Adjective
-
The Irkutsk region, home to a Rosneft oil refinery, has experienced acute shortages for several days, with lines growing, Kharitonenko said.
-
Extensive evidence suggests that treating acute psychiatric conditions in an ED setting yields poor clinical outcomes.
Verb
-
Travis Reed, who was a fire captain with the now-defunct Briar Volunteer Fire Department, admitted to coercing a minor into producing child pornography in September, according to a summary of facts in the case.
-
The Justice Against Weaponized Bureaucratic Overreach to Networked Expression Act would prohibit federal agencies and employees from coercing or trying to coerce broadcasters and providers of online services or AI services into changing content.
Adjective
-
Projections varied in the weeks leading up to the draft with no real consensus among draft analysts, but in the last 24 hours there were strong indications the Clippers would choose Wagler and the Nets would take Brown.
-
Your desire for solitude and introspection is strong during today’s Scorpio moon.
Verb
-
The Swedish parliament on Monday adopted a law obliging public sector workers to report to the police any migrants who are not authorized to live in Sweden.
-
The incident triggered a fire alarm, obliging the entire French delegation — some of whom were still in their pyjamas — to evacuate the building.
Cite this Entry
“Compelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compelling. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
