compelling
very interesting and attention-grabbing
Very interesting in a strong way, so you want to keep watching, reading, or listening.
[something] is compelling
- 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.
- 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.
strongly convincing or persuasive
Very strong and easy to believe, so it makes people agree or change their mind.
[something] is a compelling [argument/reason/case]
- 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.
- 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.
strong and urgent, hard to resist
Very strong and urgent, so you feel you must act and cannot easily say no.
[someone] feels a compelling [need/urge] to [do something]
- 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.
- 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.
forcing someone to do something
Making someone do something, using force, rules, or strong pressure.
[someone] is compelling [someone] to [do something]
- 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.
- 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.
- Base: compelling
a compelling argument
1a very strong, persuasive argument
An argument that is so strong and clear that it is very hard to disagree with it.
- She made a compelling argument for increasing the budget.
- That is a compelling argument, and it changed my mind.
a compelling case for
1a strong set of reasons for something
Many strong reasons that clearly support an idea, plan, or change.
- The report makes a compelling case for investing in public transport.
- They presented a compelling case for changing the law.
a compelling need to
1a very strong, urgent need to act
A very strong and urgent need to do something, that feels hard to ignore.
- He felt a compelling need to apologize.
- There is a compelling need to reduce our energy use.
a compelling reason
1a very strong reason
A very good and important reason that makes an action feel necessary.
- Do you have a compelling reason for being late?
- We need a compelling reason before we cancel the event.
compelling evidence
1very strong and convincing evidence
Information or facts that are so strong that almost everyone will believe them.
- The report provides compelling evidence that the drug is effective.
- There is compelling evidence linking the company to the scandal.