compelling

1. 1
   adjective

   So interesting that you cannot look away or stop watching.

   Like a book you cannot put down.

   The movie was so compelling that nobody left their seats.

   She read a compelling story about a lost dog.

   Similargripping

   Oppositeboring, dull, tedious, uninteresting

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   So convincing that it makes people believe or agree.

   Like a reason so good you cannot say no.

   The lawyer made a compelling argument to the jury.

   Her reasons were so compelling that we changed our plan.

   Similarconvincing

   Oppositeunconvincing, weak, flimsy, implausible

   Note
3. 3
   adjective

   So strong and forceful that you feel you must act.

   Like an itch you just have to scratch.

   She felt a compelling need to call her mother.

   The smell of fresh bread gave him a compelling urge to eat.

   Similarurgent, pressing

   Oppositeweak, faint

   Note
4. 4
   verb

   Present participle of compel. Use this form for the ongoing act of forcing someone to do something.

   The drought is compelling farmers to sell their cattle.

   The new rules kept compelling staff to work overtime.

   Note
5. 5
   noununcountable

   The act of forcing someone to do something.

   Like forcing a friend to come along when they would rather stay home.

   The compelling of citizens to testify raised legal concerns.

   Any compelling of children into labor is against the law.

   Similarcoercion, compulsion, forcing

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