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Anglais

compelling

gb/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/ us/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
B2 Anglais
~ 9700
Sens
0 sens
adjective B2 property
1

very interesting and attention-grabbing

Very interesting in a strong way, so you want to keep watching, reading, or listening.

Schéma d’usage : [something] is compelling
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use "compelling" when they only mean "nice" or "a bit interesting". "Compelling" is stronger and suggests that something powerfully holds your attention. Also, avoid saying *"I am compelling to this movie"*; instead say "This movie is compelling" or "I find this movie compelling."
Synonymes
captivating (Emphasizes holding someone’s attention in a charming or fascinating way; slightly more emotional or romantic in tone.) | gripping (Very similar, but often used more for exciting or suspenseful stories, especially in films and books.)
Antonymes
boring (Describes something that fails to hold attention, the opposite of what makes something compelling in this sense.) | dull (Suggests a lack of interest or excitement, directly contrasting the strong interest of something compelling.)
Collocations
compelling story |compelling narrative |compelling character |compelling performance |compelling content |compelling drama
Thèmes
media |emotions |communication |arts_entertainment
Exemples
  • The documentary was so compelling that I watched all three episodes in one night.
  • She delivered a compelling performance that kept the audience silent from start to finish.
  • It’s a compelling novel, full of complex characters and surprising turns.
  • The first ten minutes weren’t very compelling, but then the film became much more engaging.
  • He has a compelling presence on stage that makes it hard to look away.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The movie was very compelling, so we did not look at our phones.
  • I found her talk compelling and wanted to hear more.
  • This book is compelling; I read it in one day.
  • The speaker’s voice was calm but compelling.
  • The game is compelling because the story is strong.
adjective C1 property
2

strongly convincing or persuasive

Very strong and easy to believe, so it makes people agree or change their mind.

Schéma d’usage : [something] is a compelling [argument/reason/case]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"so much compelling"* instead of "very compelling" or "so compelling". Also, "compelling" usually describes things like arguments, reasons, evidence, or cases, not people directly. Say "He gave a compelling argument", not *"He is a compelling to me"* in this sense.
Synonymes
persuasive (General word for making people agree; "compelling" suggests an even stronger, harder-to-resist effect.) | convincing (Very close in meaning; "compelling" often adds a sense of urgency or great strength.)
Antonymes
unconvincing (Describes arguments or reasons that fail to persuade, the direct opposite of compelling in this sense.) | weak (Used for arguments or evidence that lack strength or support, contrasting with the force of a compelling argument.)
Collocations
compelling argument |compelling reason |compelling evidence |compelling case |compelling example |compelling justification
Thèmes
communication |law |business |education
Exemples
  • She made a compelling argument for investing in renewable energy.
  • There is compelling evidence that the policy has reduced crime.
  • We need a more compelling reason before changing the company’s strategy.
  • His lawyer presented a compelling case that raised serious doubts about his guilt.
  • The data provides compelling support for the researchers’ theory.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The teacher gave a compelling reason to start the project now.
  • They showed compelling evidence that the product is safe.
  • Her email was compelling, so I decided to join the team.
  • We do not have a compelling argument to spend more money.
  • The article gives a compelling case for studying abroad.
adjective C1 property
3

strong and urgent, hard to resist

Very strong and urgent, so you feel you must act and cannot easily say no.

Schéma d’usage : [someone] feels a compelling [need/urge] to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse this with simply "important" or "big". "Compelling" here suggests that the need or reason almost forces an action. Also, do not say *"I am compelling to go"*; instead say "I feel a compelling need to go" or "I feel compelled to go" (using the passive verb form).
Synonymes
overpowering (Suggests a very strong, almost uncontrollable force, especially for emotions or urges.) | irresistible (Focuses on the feeling that you cannot stop yourself; can sometimes sound less formal or more emotional.)
Antonymes
weak (Describes a low level of need or pressure, which can be easily ignored, unlike a compelling need.) | optional (Suggests there is no strong need or obligation, the opposite of a compelling need or obligation.)
Collocations
compelling need |compelling urge |compelling desire |compelling obligation |compelling circumstances |compelling pressure
Thèmes
emotions |psychology |society |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • She felt a compelling need to return to her hometown.
  • There is no compelling reason to change the current plan.
  • Compelling circumstances forced them to leave the country.
  • He had a compelling urge to check his phone every few minutes.
  • Only in compelling cases will the judge reduce the sentence.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • I have a compelling need to rest this weekend.
  • They moved for compelling personal reasons.
  • There is no compelling reason to quit your job now.
  • She felt a compelling urge to call her mother.
  • The company acted because of compelling financial pressure.
Verbe C1 action
4

forcing someone to do something

Making someone do something, using force, rules, or strong pressure.

Schéma d’usage : [someone] is compelling [someone] to [do something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse "compelling" (the -ing verb form of "compel") with the adjective meaning "interesting". In sentences like "The movie is compelling", it is an adjective, not a verb form. For the verb meaning, you usually mention who is making whom do what: "They are compelling him to sign".
Synonymes
forcing (Very close in meaning; "forcing" is more common in everyday speech, while "compelling" can sound slightly more formal or legal.)
Antonymes
allowing (Suggests giving someone freedom to choose, the opposite of compelling them to act.) | permitting (Emphasizes giving permission rather than using pressure or force.)
Collocations
compelling someone to act |compelling obedience |compelling payment |compelling attendance |compelling disclosure |compelling performance of a duty
Thèmes
law |society |power |work
Exemples
  • They are compelling residents to leave the area for safety reasons.
  • The court is compelling the company to release the internal documents.
  • Social norms are compelling him to follow a career path he does not really want.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The law is compelling drivers to wear seat belts.
  • Her parents are compelling her to study medicine.
  • The contract is compelling the company to pay a fine.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
compelling
API
GB/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
US/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
Syllabes et accentuation
com - pel - ling (3 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pel)
Formes du mot
Adjective
  • Base: compelling
Famille de mots
Core family
compel verb C1 compulsion noun C1 compellingly adverb C1
Related words
compulsory adjective B2 compulsive adjective B2 compulsively adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uncompelling adjective
Advanced or less common
compulsorily adverb
Expressions

a compelling argument

1
/ə kəmpˈɛlɪŋ ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase

a very strong, persuasive argument

An argument that is so strong and clear that it is very hard to disagree with it.

Exemples
  • She made a compelling argument for increasing the budget.
  • That is a compelling argument, and it changed my mind.

a compelling case for

1
/ə kəmpˈɛlɪŋ kˈeɪs fɚ/
fixed phrase formal

a strong set of reasons for something

Many strong reasons that clearly support an idea, plan, or change.

Exemples
  • The report makes a compelling case for investing in public transport.
  • They presented a compelling case for changing the law.

a compelling need to

1
/ə kəmpˈɛlɪŋ nˈid tə/
fixed phrase

a very strong, urgent need to act

A very strong and urgent need to do something, that feels hard to ignore.

Exemples
  • He felt a compelling need to apologize.
  • There is a compelling need to reduce our energy use.

a compelling reason

1
/ə kəmpˈɛlɪŋ ɹˈizən/
fixed phrase

a very strong reason

A very good and important reason that makes an action feel necessary.

Exemples
  • Do you have a compelling reason for being late?
  • We need a compelling reason before we cancel the event.

compelling evidence

1
/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ ˈɛvədəns/
fixed phrase

very strong and convincing evidence

Information or facts that are so strong that almost everyone will believe them.

Exemples
  • The report provides compelling evidence that the drug is effective.
  • There is compelling evidence linking the company to the scandal.
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