appealing
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for appealing, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use appealing
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sound appealing
visually appealing
find something appealing
Etymology
From "appeal" plus "-ing."
Full origin of appealing →Frequently asked questions
What does “appealing” mean?
The word “appealing” means attractive or interesting; likely to draw someone's interest. In plain terms, attractive or tempting — something that draws you in.
How do you pronounce “appealing”?
“Appealing” is pronounced uh-PEE-lihng (/ʌˈpi.əl.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “appealing” in a sentence?
Here is “appealing” used in a sentence: “The idea of a beach holiday sounds very appealing right now.”
What is the opposite of “appealing”?
The opposite of “appealing” — its antonyms — is unappealing.
What part of speech is “appealing”?
“Appealing” is an adjective.
Is “appealing” a common word?
“Appealing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between appealing and attractive?
Both mean pleasing or drawing interest, but "attractive" often refers to physical or visual good looks, while "appealing" is broader and can describe ideas, offers, or qualities. An offer can be appealing without being attractive in a visual sense.
What is the difference between appealing and appalling?
Despite looking similar, they are near opposites: "appealing" means attractive or interesting, while "appalling" means shocking or dreadful. The two are easily confused in spelling but should never be mixed up in meaning.
What are common collocations with appealing?
"Appealing" often pairs with nouns like "idea," "option," "prospect," and "quality," as in "an appealing idea." It is frequently modified by adverbs such as "highly," "particularly," and "less," as in "less appealing."
Does appealing relate to the verb appeal?
Yes. "Appealing" comes from the verb "appeal" in the sense of attracting or being of interest to someone, as in "the plan appeals to me." The adjective describes something that has this drawing, interesting quality.
