Word: compelling (adjective)

Associations

"Compelling" means something that is very interesting or attractive, making you want to pay attention to it. It can also mean something that is strong enough to convince you to do something.

• Example 1: "The movie had a compelling story." (This means the story was so interesting that it kept the audience engaged.)
• Example 2: "She gave a compelling argument during the debate." (This means her argument was strong and convincing.)
• Example 3: "His compelling personality draws people to him." (This means his personality is so attractive that people want to be around him.)

A well-known synonym for "compelling" is "persuasive." The main difference is that "compelling" often refers to something that captures attention or interest, while "persuasive" focuses more on convincing someone to believe or do something.

Substitution

Other words or phrases that can be used in place of "compelling" include:

• Engaging: This emphasizes being interesting and holding attention.
• Gripping: This suggests something is so exciting that it holds your attention tightly.
• Convincing: This focuses on the ability to persuade someone effectively.

Using these words might change the emphasis slightly. For example, "engaging" is more about interest, while "convincing" is more about persuasion.

Deconstruction

The word "compelling" comes from the Latin root "compellere," which means "to drive together" or "to force." It combines "com-" (together) and "pellere" (to drive). This origin helps us understand that something compelling has a strong force that draws you in or makes you pay attention.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a book or movie that you found compelling? What made it so interesting?
• Have you ever heard a compelling argument that changed your mind about something? What was it?
• How do you think a compelling personality can influence a group or team?