addictive

[ uh-dik-tiv ]

/ əˈdɪk tɪv /

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See synonyms for addictive on Thesaurus.com

adjective

Also ad·dict·ing . producing or tending to cause addiction: an addictive drug.

more than normally susceptible to addiction: an addictive personality.

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Origin of addictive

First recorded in 1935–40; addict + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM addictive

ad·dic·tive·ness, nounnon·ad·dic·tive, adjective

Words nearby addictive

adder's-tongue, add fuel to the fire, addict, addicted, addiction, addictive, Addie, add-in, adding, adding machine, Addington

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use addictive in a sentence

He told lawmakers that the company "took a page from Big Tobacco's playbook, working to make our offering addictive at the outset" and arguing that his former employer has been hugely detrimental to society.
Former Facebook manager: “We took a page from Big Tobacco’s playbook”|Kate Cox|September 24, 2020|Ars Technica
Today Purdue is the target of thousands of lawsuits, charged with having downplayed the addictive nature of OxyContin.
The Opioid Tragedy, Part 2: “It’s Not a Death Sentence” (Ep. 403)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 23, 2020|Freakonomics
We’re just providing them with information that this is an opioid, it’s addictive, it’s dangerous, you should bring it back.
The Opioid Tragedy, Part 1: “We’ve Addicted an Entire Generation” (Ep. 402)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 16, 2020|Freakonomics
While none of these new drugs proved to be non-addictive, they did become very useful in the medical management of acute pain.
The Opioid Tragedy, Part 1: “We’ve Addicted an Entire Generation” (Ep. 402)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 16, 2020|Freakonomics

Oxycontin was a time-released version of oxycodone that Purdue aggressively marketed to the medical community, saying it “might” be less addictive than other opioids.
The Opioid Tragedy, Part 1: “We’ve Addicted an Entire Generation” (Ep. 402)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 16, 2020|Freakonomics
It remains a Schedule I narcotic to this day, considered as dangerous and addictive by the federal government as heroin and MDMA.
Pot-Smoking Grannies, Jimmy Fallon Covers U2, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Flash is the latest addictive series from Berlanti, who serves as showrunner with Kreisberg.
The TV Superhero Guru Behind ‘The Flash’|Jason Lynch|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The celebrity scandals became addictive to both the reporters and the readers.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The show is as precisely plotted as a soap opera and beautifully lit; entirely, fatally addictive.
‘Made in Chelsea’ Has a New York Moment|Tim Teeman|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The best part, says Ansel, is the “utterly addictive” whipped honey brown butter served in a dish alongside.
The Cronut Gives Way to the Penis Pretzel|Tim Teeman|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Free and fun -- addictive social games with lots of cool people playing them from all over the world.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow
The drugs students are taking today are more potent, more dangerous, and more addictive than ever.
What Works: Schools Without Drugs|United States Department of Education
Crack or freebase rock is extremely addictive, and its effects are felt within 10 seconds.
What Works: Schools Without Drugs|United States Department of Education
He should have reasoned that out long ago; he should have realized it was impossible to have immunity to an addictive drug.
Love Story|Irving E. Cox, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for addictive

addictive

/ (əˈdɪktɪv) /

adjective

of, relating to, or causing addiction

Derived forms of addictive

addictiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

addictive

Origin of addictive

OTHER WORDS FROM addictive

Words nearby addictive

Words related to addictive

How to use addictive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for addictive

Derived forms of addictive