APPEALING

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does appealing mean? 

• APPEALING (adjective)
  The adjective APPEALING has 2 senses:

1. able to attract interest or draw favorable attention

2. (of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings

  Familiarity information: APPEALING used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• APPEALING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Able to attract interest or draw favorable attention

Context example:

the idea of having enough money to retire at fifty is very appealing

Similar:

attention-getting; catchy (likely to attract attention)

attractive (having power to arouse interest)

Antonym:

unappealing (not able to attract favorable attention)

Derivation:

appealingness (attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings

Synonyms:

appealing; likable; likeable; sympathetic

Context example:

the sympathetic characters in the play

Domain category:

drama (the literary genre of works intended for the theater)

Derivation:

appealingness (attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates)

 Context examples 

There was no use appealing to a magistrate.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She did not flinch from the pain which I knew she must have suffered, but looked at him with eyes that were more appealing than ever.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

All flashed indignant or appealing glances at the inexorable Davis, and one passionate lime lover burst into tears.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

And she was so much the woman, clinging and appealing, sunshine and dew to my manhood, rooting it deeper and sending through it the sap of a new strength.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"No one knows I am here," Ruth said in a faint voice, with an appealing smile.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“That was ever his way,” she cried, appealing to Sir Nigel, who reined up his horse and listened with the greatest courtesy.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Venus will move through earth-sign Taurus from March 4 through April 3, sure to bring out your charisma and make you more appealing than ever.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It was as if I had seen Dora, in all her fascinating artlessness, caressing Agnes, and thanking her, and coaxingly appealing against me, and loving me with all her childish innocence.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Then he raised his arms again, as though appealing to the whole universe.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"That's a truly Joian plan for you! Isn't that just like her?" cried Laurie, appealing to the family, who looked as much surprised as he.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)