3 syllables: com, pel, ling. Stress on pel.
kuhm-PEL-ing
/kəˈmpɛlɪŋ/
compelling is pronounced kuhm-PEL-ing (/kəˈmpɛlɪŋ/). It has three syllables (com-pel-ling), with the stress on "pel". Compelling describes something that arouses interest, attention, or admiration, often strongly persuasive or gripping. It conveys forcefulness and a powerful pull, whether in a story, argument, or image. The term implies both attractiveness and necessity, leaving little room for indifference.
Compelling describes something that arouses interest, attention, or admiration, often strongly persuasive or gripping. It conveys forcefulness and a powerful pull, whether in a story, argument, or image. The term implies both attractiveness and necessity, leaving little room for indifference.
- Misplacing stress by saying com-PEL-ing or com-PE-LING; fix by rehearsing the two-syllable pattern with strong second-syllable stress: com-PÉ-ling, then reduce vowel quality in first syllable to a quick schwa. - Over-smoothing the /p/ sound leading to a softer, /b/ or /p/ blend; fix by stopping the air completely with a crisp release and promptly moving to /e/. - Running the final /ŋ/ into the next word or articulating a fuller vowel before it; fix by ending with a tight nasal sound, trailing off with a short /ŋ/ that blends naturally with the following word. - In connected speech, voicing of the /p/ can waver; practice with a short pause before /p/ to reinforce its voiceless stop quality. - Beginners may mispronounce the /pel/ as /pgle/ or /pel/ with a heavy /ɡ/ clumsy transition; keep the tongue tip on the alveolar ridge for /l/ and ensure the /e/ remains mid-front.
"The speaker gave a compelling argument that changed my mind."
"Her compelling narrative kept the audience spellbound from start to finish."
"The documentary presented compelling evidence of climate change."
Pronunciation is /kəmˈpelɪŋ/. Stress is on the second syllable: com-PEL-ing. Start with a light schwa in the first syllable, then the clear /pel/ with lips relaxed, followed by the hip-shape /ɪŋ/. Practice by saying “kuh-MPEL-ing” with crisp /p/ and a short, lax /ɪ/ before the final nasal. For precise reference, listen to native speech at standard speed on Pronounce or Forvo.
Common errors include misplacing stress as com-PHEL-ing or com-PEL-ing, and slurring the /l/ into /n/ or pronouncing /pel/ as /pel-ɪŋ/ with a stronger vowel. Correct by ensuring primary stress on the second syllable and crisp /p/ followed by /el/ with a clear /l/ tongue tip against the alveolar ridge, then the /ɪŋ/ nasal. Keep the /m/ nasal closure steady to avoid a run-t together problem.
In US/UK/AU, the main difference is rhoticity and vowel quality. US typically rhotic; /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ keeps /r/ absent (no rhotic /r/ after CV). UK and US share /ˈpelɪŋ/ with similar stress, but UK speakers may have a slightly more clipped /ɪŋ/ and less vowel reduction in rapid speech. Australian accents maintain non-rhotic tendencies more similar to UK, but vowel quality can be broader; ensure /ˈpel/ remains prominent in all.
The challenge lies in the two-clause word structure with primary stress on the second syllable and a crisp /p/ followed by /el/. The /ˈpel/ cluster can trip you up if you’re not careful with the /p/ closure and the following /e/ quality before /l/. Additionally, the final /ɪŋ/ requires maintaining a relaxed jaw while producing a nasal - you don’t want a heavy vowel before the nasal. Practice with IPA cues and careful articulation.
A distinctive feature is the strong, clear /pel/ onset in the stressed syllable, which contrasts with a softer, reduced first syllable. You’ll notice a tight articulation of /p/ and a bright /e/ in the vowel before /l/. The word also benefits from steady pacing between syllables to avoid the second syllable’s lengthening or the final nasal becoming hesitant. Focus on keeping the /p/ as a crisp stop and the /l/ clearly released.
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- US: rhotic, keep /r/ silent after initial /kə/; crisp /p e l/ with clear /l/ and a moderate /ɪŋ/. - UK: non-rhotic, maintain clear non-rhoticity in the first syllable; keep /pel/ intact with a slightly shorter /ɪŋ/; avoid overpronouncing the final nasal. - AU: similar to UK but with vowel qualities that can be broader; maintain the second-syllable emphasis and ensure the /p/ and /l/ stay crisp. Use IPA reference /kəmˈpelɪŋ/ for all.
Compelling comes from the verb compel, from Latin compellere, meaning to drive or force together. The Latin root compellere combines com- (with, together) and pellere (to drive). In English, compel appeared in the 14th century with sense related to driving someone to a course of action or forcing compliance. By the 17th–18th centuries, compelling took on the broader sense of something that irresistibly draws or attracts attention, not merely coercive force. The modern nuance blends both forcefulness and attractiveness: something that compels you to pay attention or to act. This evolution mirrors how persuasive writing or storytelling integrates logical appeal with vivid imagery, creating an irresistible pull. First known uses appear in early English legal and rhetorical texts, where compelling arguments and evidence were described as capable of compelling assent. Over time, the word shifted from physical force connotations to psychological and aesthetic influence, culminating in today’s common usage in journalism, literature, marketing, and public speaking.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "compelling" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "compelling"
-ing sounds
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