# compelling

/kəmˈpɛɫɪŋ/ (US) · /kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/compelling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. very interesting

adjective · CEFR B2

so interesting or exciting that you want to keep watching or reading.

For teachers: captivating or holding one's attention through intense interest or excitement.

- The movie was so compelling that I didn't look at my phone once.
- The documentary offers a compelling narrative of the city's history, weaving together personal interviews and rare archival footage.

### 2. persuasive

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

strong enough to make you believe that something is true or right.

For teachers: capable of eliciting belief or agreement through logical or evidentiary force.

- The lawyer presented a compelling argument that convinced the jury.
- Despite the lack of physical evidence, the prosecutor built a compelling case based on the consistency of the witness testimonies.

### 3. forceful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

a feeling or reason that is so strong you feel you must do something.

For teachers: exerting a strong, irresistible influence or psychological necessity.

- He felt a compelling need to tell the truth about what happened.
- The board found no compelling reason to change the existing policy before the end of the fiscal year.

### 4. act of forcing

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

the act of forcing someone to do something.

For teachers: the act of compulsion or the state of being obliged to perform an action.

- The compelling of witnesses to testify is a standard part of the trial.
- Legal scholars debated whether the compelling of such testimony violated the defendant's constitutional protections against self-incrimination.

## Examples

- The lawyer presented a compelling argument for her client.
- The documentary offers such a compelling look at climate change that many viewers felt moved to change their daily habits immediately.
- Despite the lack of physical evidence, the prosecutor built a compelling narrative based on circumstantial details that eventually convinced the jury of the defendant's guilt.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.