compellingcom‧pel‧ling /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ ●○○ adjective 
Lucy had no compelling reason to go into town. The court was presented with compelling evidence that she’d murdered her husband.2very interesting or exciting, so that you have to pay attention: His life makes a compelling story.► see thesaurus at interesting3compelling need/desire/urge (to do something) a strong need, desire etc to do something, making you feel that you must do it: He felt a compelling need to tell someone about his idea.—compellingly adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a compelling story
- Freud's approach to the analysis of dreams is highly compelling.
- It is hard to find a more compelling reason to quit smoking than the fact that it affects your children's health.
- Orwell's 'Burmese Days' is a compelling account of life under British Colonial rule.
- The film was so compelling I could scarcely take my eyes off the screen for a second.
- But none of them is very compelling.
- He'd had the most compelling eyes she'd ever encountered.
- He'd have to have a much more compelling reason than that.
- It's all great stuff, and compelling cinema.
- Sordid and diseased, perhaps, but there's already a compelling and coherent vision at work.
- There are compelling societal priorities and pressures to carry out policies of child protection.
- This approach to the nature of dreaming is highly compelling.
THESAURUS
keeping your attention and making you want to know more: · There’s an interesting article in the newspaper today.· The lecture was really interesting.
very interesting: · a fascinating subject· Everything about ancient Egypt is absolutely fascinating.
giving you new ideas or experiences in a way that is interesting and enjoyable: · a stimulating conversation· I found him very stimulating to be with and full of ideas.
interesting because of being unusual, mysterious, or unexpected, so that you want to find out more: · Their research has produced some intriguing results.· These discoveries raise intriguing questions about the relationship between viral genes and the normal genes of the cell.
interesting in a way that keeps your attention completely or for a long time: · Growing your own vegetables can be an absorbing hobby.· her engrossing first novel
used about a very interesting story, film etc that you feel you must keep reading or watching: · a gripping story of love and death· He gives a riveting performance as a tough street cop.· There is something compelling about his work.
very interesting and exciting – used especially about a performance you are watching or listening to: · Pakistan won an enthralling match by two wickets.
very interesting because of being so strange, unusual, or wonderful: · The book is a spellbinding tale of her life in China.
spoken used when saying that a book was so interesting that you could not stop reading it: · It’s a great book – I found that I couldn’t put it down.
Longman Language Activatorso interesting that you cannot stop watching, reading etc a film, book etc that is riveting or gripping is so interesting or exciting that you do not want to stop watching it, reading it etc: · The novel is absolutely riveting from start to finish.· The story is a riveting one about two children who find an adventure game which becomes real as they are playing it.· Hitchcock's film "The Birds' is a brilliant psychological thriller with a gripping climax.· The play is never quite interesting or gripping enough in the right places despite the considerable efforts of the actors.
spoken say this about a book that was so enjoyable that you did not want to stop reading it: · What an amazing book! I just couldn't put it down.
written a film, book etc that is compelling is so interesting that you feel you must keep watching or reading it: · The film was so compelling I could scarcely take my eyes off the screen for a second.· Orwell's 'Burmese Days' is a compelling account of life under British Colonial rule.
something that is engrossing , such as a book or your work, is so interesting that you do not notice anything that is happening around you: · In his latest novel, Martin Amis gives us an engrossing tale of human trauma.· The daydream was so engrossing that she almost failed to notice Peter waving to her from the other side of the road.
a story, film, game etc that is mesmerizing or enthralling is very interesting and exciting, so that you give all your attention to it: · The band incorporates Spanish, Latin American and Middle Eastern influences into a powerful, mesmerizing mix.· Visitors to the show will find it an enthralling experience.· Sergei Rebrov scored the goal that finally ended an enthralling match.
a story, film, piece of music etc that is spellbinding is so original or interesting that you are unable to think about anything else while you are reading it, watching it etc: · One of the President's most spellbinding TV performances came on 27 July.· What she reveals in this novel is a spellbinding tale of her life in China.
a book whose story is so interesting that you do not want to stop reading it and are very eager to find out what happens next: · Stephen King's latest novel promises to be another page-turner.
reasons, explanations etc that persuade you to believe something a convincing reason, explanation, or excuse makes you believe that something is true or right: · Jurors thought the defence's arguments were very convincing.· There is convincing evidence that smoking causes heart disease.· Archeologists found convincing proof that the Vikings had landed in North America.
persuasive arguments, proof etc make people believe that something is true or right, by giving them good reasons: · Barratt's argument was persuasive, but the managers still turned down his proposal.· He made a persuasive case for making the changes.· We found no persuasive evidence of illegal activity.
a compelling reason, argument etc is one that is so strong and powerful that it can persuade you that something is true or that something should be done: · Freud's approach to the analysis of dreams is highly compelling.· It is hard to find a more compelling reason to quit smoking than the fact that it affects your children's health.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The court was presented with compelling evidence that she’d murdered her husband. His life makes a compelling story.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
The court was presented with compelling evidence that she’d murdered her husband. His life makes a compelling story. (=making you feel sure that something is true)· The data provides compelling evidence that the climate is changing.
(=a very good reason for doing something)· There are compelling reasons to believe that this is true.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· No, there is another, and far more compelling, explanation.· He'd have to have a much more compelling reason than that.· The similarity of the central flower in mosaic 7 with that in the same position in mosaic C is more compelling.· Evidence to support a defect in cell mediated immunity is more compelling.· Nor are they necessarily equal in strength; the outer form may be more compelling than inner character, or viceversa.
· He'd had the most compelling eyes she'd ever encountered.· To her bewilderment, though, she suddenly experienced a most compelling feeling of not wanting to leave Mariánské Láznë next Tuesday!· It is this later Holiday which most recognise and her admirers point to her last years as her most compelling.· But it was his eyes that were most compelling.
NOUN· The new studies provide compelling evidence in support of these concepts.
· But, in any event, there is no compelling reason to justify section 9.· Unless there are other compelling reasons, therefore, never borrow money yourself to obtain funds needed by your corporation.· The record is good but there is no compelling reason to buy.· He'd have to have a much more compelling reason than that.· It is unlikely that an adjournment will be granted in these circumstances unless there are particularly compelling reasons.· The Commission could find no compelling reason of public interest which could justify the position of the United Kingdom's government.· Threats in the external environment also provide a compelling reason to expand beyond the home market.· There is no compelling reason why a Bill should lapse at the end of a parliamentary session.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1compelling reason/argument/case etc an argument etc that makes you feel certain that something is true or that you must do something about it: - Barring a compelling reason, governments should not discriminate between classes of citizens.
- But there are a number of compelling reasons to stand in line.
- But, in any event, there is no compelling reason to justify section 9.
- He was energetic, headstrong, and unorthodox-and he had compelling reasons for reducing the ruinously expensive Soviet nuclear arsenal.
- However, it is necessary to say a word or two here to refute this seemingly compelling argument.
- In the high-visibility, emotionally compelling cases such as maternity stays, an uproar resulted.
- The record is good but there is no compelling reason to buy.
- Unless there are other compelling reasons, therefore, never borrow money yourself to obtain funds needed by your corporation.
- And it was from these experiments that Work place 2000 emerged as the response to a compelling need for change.
- Most women with bulimia, particularly those with a history of anorexia, have a compelling desire to be thinner.
- Such freedoms can be abridged only if the state shows it has a compelling need to do so.
- Suddenly I had a compelling urge to look at Wilkerson.
- A glance at the provisions of the Convention makes interesting reading.
- He also has a collection of Rentokil news letters going back to his early days which made for fascinating reading after dinner.
- His observations may make interesting reading.
- In the context of the £33 million earmarked for 20 City Technology Colleges, that figure makes interesting reading.
- Its Report was published in 1867 and makes fascinating reading.
- The guidance, when it appears, should make interesting reading.
- The report I commissioned on you makes for interesting reading.
- This, unlike the first one, makes interesting reading, and is referred to continually.
Lucy had no compelling reason to go into town. The court was presented with compelling evidence that she’d murdered her husband.2very interesting or exciting, so that you have to pay attention: His life makes a compelling story.► see thesaurus at interesting3compelling need/desire/urge (to do something) a strong need, desire etc to do something, making you feel that you must do it: He felt a compelling need to tell someone about his idea.—compellingly adverb