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
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 July 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
True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
5 July 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
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Any platform, from Zoom to Microsoft, can be compatible with scammers utilizing deepfakes, fake profiles or convincing backgrounds such as an FBI seal.
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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
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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.
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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
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When Khomeini’s coffin began moving in a convoy, mourners surged towards it, causing a crowd crush and forcing the funeral procession to be abandoned, according to ISNA.
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This transformed the laser from a simple heat source into a microscopic stirring tool, actively forcing the molten metals to blend right before solidification.
Adjective
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Although rescuers had not detected conclusive signs of life, the operation continued under the watch of the child’s parents and grandmother.
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The best shot at making a conclusive determination on who raped Sebold would come through DNA analysis of the physical evidence.
Adjective
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The Irkutsk region, home to a Rosneft oil refinery, has experienced acute shortages for several days, with lines growing, Kharitonenko said.
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Extensive evidence suggests that treating acute psychiatric conditions in an ED setting yields poor clinical outcomes.
Verb
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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.
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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
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Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
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Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.
Verb
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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.
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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 7 Jul. 2026.
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