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# compelling

adjective (compelling); also the -ing form of compel (compel, compels, compelled, compelling)

«compelling» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. So interesting or exciting that you want to keep watching or reading. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#m1)
2. So strong or convincing that you have to believe or agree, like a compelling reason or argument. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#m2)
3. (verb form) Forcing someone to do something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#m3)

### In the lessons

Used in reading lessons (a compelling story), debates and science (compelling evidence), and in formal texts. It tells the reader something is very strong or gripping. Phrases: compelling evidence, compelling reason, compelling story, compelling argument.

### Examples

- The book was so compelling I couldn't put it down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x1)
- There is compelling evidence that exercise is good for you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x2)
- She gave a compelling reason for being late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x3)
- The film's story was compelling from start to end. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x4)
- His argument was compelling, so we agreed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x5)
- The detective found compelling proof. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x6)
- Hunger was compelling them to keep looking for food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/#x7)

### Note

Verb compel = force (be compelled to do something). Adverb: compellingly. Similar: gripping, convincing, persuasive. Spelling: double l in compelling, compelled.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «compelling» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/compelling/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«compelling» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/compelling.html) on Mova free.