adjective
Etymology: from present participle of compel
1. : forcing , impelling , driving
compelling circumstances
compelling ambition
2. : demanding respect, honor, or admiration
a compelling personality
her singing was as compelling as her acting — Time
3. : calling for examination, scrutiny, consideration, or thought
new and compelling evidence
4. : demanding and holding one's attention
a compelling novel
a compelling manner of speech
5. : tending to convince or convert by or as if by forcefulness of evidence
though his logic is often unconvincing, his documentation is always compelling — H.J.Muller
• com·pel·ling·ly adverb