How to pronounce compelling
Say it like kum-PEL-ing. Compelling has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce compelling. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kum
- PEL
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Compelling pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kumKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of compelling
American and British speakers say compelling in essentially the same way: /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ in the US and /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ in the UK.
British respelling: kum-PEL-ing.
What does compelling mean?
- driving or forcing“compelling ambition”
- tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument“new and compelling evidence”
Where does compelling come from?
By surface analysis, compel + -ing.
Words that rhyme with compelling
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of compelling.
Questions about saying compelling
How do you pronounce compelling?
Say kum-PEL-ing. The American pronunciation is /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/. In British English it is /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in compelling?
Compelling has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEL). Broken into parts: kum · PEL · ing.
Do Americans and Brits say compelling the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ and the British form is /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.