compelling
nounEtymology By surface analysis, compel + -ing.
1
An act of compulsion; an obliging somebody to do something.
- Derived terms
- compellingly
- Related terms
- compel
compelling
adj/kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/
Etymology By surface analysis, compel + -ing.
1
very interesting; able to capture and hold one's attention
- The novel was so compelling that I couldn't put it down.
- The dirty secret of the internet is that all this distraction and interruption is immensely profitable. Web companies like to boast about "creating compelling content", or offering services that let you "stay up to date with what your friends are doing", "share the things you love with the world" and so on.2013 June 21, Oliver Burkeman, “The tao of tech”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 2, page 27:
2
capable of causing someone to believe or agree
- He made a compelling argument.
- Terry's goal looked to have put Chelsea in control on the stroke of half-time but Arsenal's response presented a compelling case for Wenger's insistence that reports of his side's demise have been greatly exaggerated.2011 October 29, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 3-5 Arsenal”, in BBC Sport:
3
strong and forceful; that causes one to feel like they must do something
- I would need a very compelling reason to leave my job.
- Derived terms
- compellingness, uncompelling