Meaning & use
uncompelling
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Not interesting or convincing enough to hold your attention or make you believe something.
Grammar: Used to describe things like arguments, stories, or performances; it can be graded with 'more' and 'most'.
Patterns
- an uncompelling argument
- uncompelling evidence
- seem uncompelling
The lawyer's closing speech was long but uncompelling.
The film had beautiful scenery, but the plot was uncompelling.
His reasons for missing the deadline sounded uncompelling to the manager.
Word forms
| comparative | more uncompelling |
|---|---|
| superlative | most uncompelling |
Common combinations
- uncompelling argument
- They rejected the proposal because of its uncompelling argument.
- uncompelling evidence
- The jury found the evidence uncompelling.
- uncompelling story
- The novel was praised for its style but criticized for its uncompelling story.
- seem uncompelling
- Her explanation seemed uncompelling to everyone in the room.
Synonyms and how they differ
- unconvincing
- Very close in meaning; it often focuses on failure to persuade, while 'uncompelling' can also mean simply dull or not engaging.
- dull
- Focuses on lack of interest or excitement, not on whether something persuades.
- weak
- More general; it can describe many kinds of weakness, not just a lack of power to hold attention.
Opposites
Word family
- compelling adjective
- Very interesting or convincing.
- compel verb
- To force someone to do something.
- compellingly adverb
- In a way that is very interesting or convincing.
Commonly confused: uncompelling or compelling?
uncompelling vs compelling
The opposite meaning; 'compelling' means very interesting or convincing, while 'uncompelling' means the opposite.
Practice
The documentary was beautifully shot, but its message was ______.
Choose one answer.
The contrast with 'beautifully shot' suggests the message did not hold attention, so 'uncompelling' fits. 'Compelling' would mean the opposite; 'compelled' is a verb form; 'compulsory' means required, which does not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “uncompelling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.