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something that is certain to happen. The president's re-election is now far from a sure thing. something certain to win or succeed. Your promotion is a sure thing – you’re the best person for the job.

very exciting or interesting and making you want to watch, listen. If a reason, argument, etc is compelling, it makes you believe it or accept it because it is so strong. a compelling story, compelling evidence

They compelled me to betray my country. I felt compelled to tell her the truth.

the person or animal that is most likely to win a race, election. hot favourite to He's the hot favourite to win the election. The Oxford team are hot favourites to win this year's boat race. beat the hot favourite, Ben Jackson, to win the race.

easily influenced or harmed by something. She isn't very susceptible to flattery. These plants are particularly susceptible to frost. Among particularly susceptible children, the disease can develop very fast. be susceptible to something

causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult: a formidable obstacle/task a formidable adversary/enemy/opponent a formidable intellect

to plan a difficult activity, often a crime, in detail and make certain that it happens successfully. He's believed to have masterminded the attacks. He's the mastermind behind two of TV's biggest hits.

a very strong feeling of wanting to do something repeatedly that is difficult to control. Dieting is a compulsion. a force that makes you do something. Driven by some kind of inner compulsion. Don't feel under any compulsion to take me with you.

to make something that is already bad even worse. This attack will exacerbate the already tense relations between the two communities. Her allergy was exacerbated by the dust.

a person or thing that shows that something is going to happen soon, especially something bad a harbinger of doom

to be strong enough, or not be changed by something, or to oppose a person or thing successfully. a bridge designed to withstand earthquakes. Our toys are designed to withstand the rough treatment. an artist whose work will withstand the test of time.

the ability to keep doing something difficult, unpleasant, or painful for a long time. Running a marathon is a test of human endurance. The pain was bad beyond endurance.

continuing forever in the same way. They lived in perpetual fear of being discovered. He has hard, cold eyes and his mouth is set in a perpetual sneer. a perpetual student

to cause harm or suffering: The constant stress takes its toll on emergency room workers.

inside or contained within something else. Leading off the main hall is a series of small inner rooms. Inner feelings or thoughts are ones that you do not show or tell other people. Sarah seemed to have a profound sense of inner peace.

wanting to discover as much as you can about things, sometimes in a way that annoys people: an inquisitive child, an inquisitive mind. She could see inquisitive faces looking out from the windows next door.

unfriendly and not liking something: a hostile crowd, hostile reception the president had a hostile reception in Ohio this morning.

very ordinary and therefore not interesting: Mundane matters such as paying bills and shopping for food do not interest her.