compelling
gb/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/ us/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
B2
Inglês
~ 9700
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
B2
property
1
very interesting and attention-grabbing
Very interesting in a strong way, so you want to keep watching, reading, or listening.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is compelling
Erro comum:
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."
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
compelling story
|compelling narrative
|compelling character
|compelling performance
|compelling content
|compelling drama
Temas
media
|emotions
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is a compelling [argument/reason/case]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
compelling argument
|compelling reason
|compelling evidence
|compelling case
|compelling example
|compelling justification
Temas
communication
|law
|business
|education
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] feels a compelling [need/urge] to [do something]
Erro comum:
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).
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
compelling need
|compelling urge
|compelling desire
|compelling obligation
|compelling circumstances
|compelling pressure
Temas
emotions
|psychology
|society
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Verbo
C1
action
4
forcing someone to do something
Making someone do something, using force, rules, or strong pressure.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] is compelling [someone] to [do something]
Erro comum:
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".
Sinónimos
forcing (Very close in meaning; "forcing" is more common in everyday speech, while "compelling" can sound slightly more formal or legal.)
Antónimos
allowing (Suggests giving someone freedom to choose, the opposite of compelling them to act.)
|
permitting (Emphasizes giving permission rather than using pressure or force.)
Colocações
compelling someone to act
|compelling obedience
|compelling payment
|compelling attendance
|compelling disclosure
|compelling performance of a duty
Temas
law
|society
|power
|work
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
compelling
IPA
GB/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
US/kəmpˈɛlɪŋ/
Sílabas e acento
com - pel - ling (3 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pel)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: compelling
Família de palavras
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
uncompelling
adjective
Advanced or less common
compulsorily
adverb
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- The report provides compelling evidence that the drug is effective.
- There is compelling evidence linking the company to the scandal.