Added 7 October 2026
compelling
/kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ verb
In Latin: cōgēns Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about compelling at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- present participle and gerund of compel
adjective
-
very interesting; able to capture and hold one's attention
The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.
-
capable of causing someone to believe or agree
He made a compelling argument.
-
strong and forceful; that causes one to feel like they must do something
I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.
noun
- An act of compulsion; an obliging somebody to do something.
Origin
By surface analysis, compel + -ing.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)