compelling
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.so interesting or exciting that you want to keep watching or reading.
adj.captivating or holding one's attention through intense interest or excitement.
Simple“The movie was so compelling that I didn't look at my phone once.”
In context“The documentary offers a compelling narrative of the city's history, weaving together personal interviews and rare archival footage.”
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.strong enough to make you believe that something is true or right.
adj.capable of eliciting belief or agreement through logical or evidentiary force.
Simple“The lawyer presented a compelling argument that convinced the jury.”
In context“Despite the lack of physical evidence, the prosecutor built a compelling case based on the consistency of the witness testimonies.”
SynonymsAntonymsunconvincingweak - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.a feeling or reason that is so strong you feel you must do something.
adj.exerting a strong, irresistible influence or psychological necessity.
Simple“He felt a compelling need to tell the truth about what happened.”
In context“The board found no compelling reason to change the existing policy before the end of the fiscal year.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the act of forcing someone to do something.
n.the act of compulsion or the state of being obliged to perform an action.
Simple“The compelling of witnesses to testify is a standard part of the trial.”
In context“Legal scholars debated whether the compelling of such testimony violated the defendant's constitutional protections against self-incrimination.”
Synonyms
Usage compelling evidence
“That Welsh has finally realised this story in such an expansive, compelling and heartfelt novel is something of a literary triumph, proof that this medium remains the best kind of long-form narrative.”
“High sopranos and low basses performed unearthly feats of endurance, and the precision of the whole – a musical mosaic constructed before our eyes – was utterly compelling.”
By surface analysis, compel + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.