Compelling
Definition
Compelling refers to something that evokes strong interest, attention, or admiration. It can also describe something that is convincing or forceful, requiring immediate attention or action.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective (evoking strong interest or admiration; forceful)
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/
- Respelling: kuhm-PEL-ing
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/
- Respelling: kuhm-PEL-ing
Etymology
The word "compelling" comes from the Latin "compellere," which means "to drive together, to force." It is composed of "com-" (together) and "pellere" (to drive). The modern sense of something being irresistible or convincing emerged in the 17th century.
Derivatives
- Compel (verb)
- Compellingly (adverb)
- Compulsion (noun)
- Compelled (adjective)
- Uncompelling (adjective)
Synonyms
- Convincing
- Persuasive
- Engaging
Antonyms
- Unconvincing
- Weak
- Boring
Usage
The word "compelling" is often used to describe arguments, stories, or presentations that capture attention and evoke strong interest. For example, "The lawyer gave a compelling argument that swayed the jury." It can also describe something that exerts a strong force, requiring immediate action or consideration, such as "The evidence was compelling enough to reopen the investigation."
Related Terms
- Persuasion: The act of convincing someone to believe or do something.
- Forceful: Having a strong and assertive quality.
- Engaging: Attracting and holding interest or attention.
Detailed Definitions
Adjective
- Evoking strong interest or admiration: Refers to something that draws attention and holds it strongly.
- Example: "Her speech was compelling, and the audience listened intently."
- Convincing or forceful: Refers to something that is persuasive or demands immediate attention.
- Example: "The prosecutor presented compelling evidence of the defendant’s guilt."
compelling
The picture was so compelling that I couldn’t stop looking at it.
The movie had a compelling story that kept everyone interested.
The speaker's compelling speech captivated the entire audience.
🇨🇳 Mandarin (Simplified Chinese)
- 引人注目的 (yǐn rén zhù mù de) – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /jin˨˩˦ ʐən˥˥ ʈʂu˥˥ mu˥˥ de/
- English Respelling: yeen ren joo moo de
- 强制的 (qiángzhì de) – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /tʃʰi˧˥aŋ ʈʂʰi˥˥ de/
- English Respelling: chyang-jee de
🇮🇳 Hindi
- आकर्षक (Aakarṣak) – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /aːˈkərʂək/
- English Respelling: aa-kar-shak
- ज़बरदस्ती (Zabardastī) – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /zəbərˈdəstiː/
- English Respelling: zabar-das-tee
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Atractivo – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /atɾaˈktiβo/
- English Respelling: ah-tra-ktee-vo
- Imperativo – imperative or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /impeɾaˈtiβo/
- English Respelling: im-peh-ra-tee-vo
🇫🇷 French
- Captivant – captivating or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /kap.ti.vɑ̃/
- English Respelling: kap-tee-van
- Contraignant – compelling in the forceful sense
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɔ̃.tʁɛ̃.ʒɑ̃/
- English Respelling: kon-train-zhan
🇦🇪 Modern Standard Arabic
- جذاب (jadhdhāb) – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʒadʕaːb/
- English Respelling: jadh-dhaab
- إكراهي (ikrāhī) – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʔikˈraːhiː/
- English Respelling: ik-raa-hee
🇧🇩 Bengali
- আকর্ষণীয় (Ākarṣaṇīẏa) – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /akorʃoɳij/
- English Respelling: a-kor-sho-nee-yo
- বাধ্যতামূলক (Bādhyatāmūlaka) – compulsory or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /badʰjatamulɔk/
- English Respelling: baadh-ya-ta-moo-lak
🇷🇺 Russian
- Захватывающий (Zakhvatyvayushchiy) – captivating or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /zəxvɐˈtɨvəjʉʂt͡ɕɪj/
- English Respelling: zakh-va-ti-vah-yoo-shchiy
- Принудительный (Prinuditel'nyy) – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /prʲɪnʊˈdʲitʲɪlʲnɨj/
- English Respelling: pri-noo-ditel'-nyy
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Cativante – captivating or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /kɐtiˈvɐ̃t(ɨ)/
- English Respelling: ka-tee-van-te
- Coercitivo – coercive or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /kwɛɾˈsitivu/
- English Respelling: kwer-see-tee-voo
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Menarik – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /məˈnarik/
- English Respelling: meh-na-reek
- Memaksa – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /məˈmak.sa/
- English Respelling: mem-ahk-sah
🇩🇪 German
- Fesselnd – captivating or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈfɛslənt/
- English Respelling: fes-lend
- Zwingend – imperative or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈtsvɪŋənt/
- English Respelling: tsving-end
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 魅力的な (Miryokutekina) – charming or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /miɾʲokʲutekina/
- English Respelling: mi-ryo-ku-te-ki-na
- 強制的な (Kyōseitekina) – coercive or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʲoːseitekina/
- English Respelling: kyoh-sei-te-ki-na
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Cuốn hút – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /kʷəːn˧˥ hut˧˥/
- English Respelling: koon hoot
- Ép buộc – forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /ep˧˥ bwək˧˧/
- English Respelling: ep bwok
🇰🇷 Korean
- 매력적인 (Maeryeokjeogin) – charming or attracting attention
- IPA Pronunciation: /mæːɾjʌkdʑʌɡin/
- English Respelling: mae-ryeok-jeo-gin
- 강제적인 (Gangjejeogin) – coercive or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaŋdʑedʑʌɡin/
- English Respelling: gang-je-jeo-gin
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Cezbedici – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /dʒezbeditʃi/
- English Respelling: jez-be-di-chi
- Zorlayıcı – coercive or forceful
- IPA Pronunciation: /zorlajɯd͡ʒɯ/
- English Respelling: zor-lai-yuh-chuh
🇵🇰 Urdu
- متاثر کن (Mutasir kun) – attracting attention or interest
- IPA Pronunciation: /mutaːsir kun/
- English Respelling: mu-taa-sir kun
- مجبور کنندہ (Majbūr kunnanda) – compelling in the forceful sense
- IPA Pronunciation: /məd͡ʒbuːr kʊnːəndə/
- English Respelling: muj-boor koon-nan-da
