compulsive
Americanadjective
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compelling; compulsory.
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Psychology.
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pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion.
a compulsive desire to cry.
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governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.
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noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of compulsive
First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete compulse, verb (from Latin compuls(us), past participle of compellere; see compulsion) + -ive
Explanation
Compulsive people have irresistible urges to do certain things, like a compulsive gossip who simply cannot keep a secret. If you're compulsive, you can't stop yourself from doing something, like compulsive counting of the sidewalk blocks on your way to school. There is sometimes an upside to compulsive behavior — like a compulsive desire to be the best hockey player, which makes you work hard to make it happen. Someone who has compulsive tendencies can be called a compulsive, the noun form of the word.
Vocabulary lists containing compulsive
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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Born a Crime
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The Pigman
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Addictions, compulsive work habits, emotional outbursts, chronic anxiety and even physical illness may result when trauma remains unresolved.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
I’m all too aware of how quickly behavior can turn compulsive and how even the most temperate individual can unknowingly find themselves in over their head.
From Slate • May 5, 2026
There are also treatment, support groups and other resources to help people with compulsive gambling and spending, and buying her a house will not necessarily make the problem go away.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 29, 2026
Kershaw, who had a take home pay of £1,400 a month, claimed to have a "compulsive shopping addiction", and give money to beggars, as well as pay household bills.
From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026
The men experienced reduction in the dopamine transporter, a protein, as compared to a control group of nine men who were not compulsive Internet users.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
