compulsion

[ kuhm-puhl-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of compelling; compel; constraint; coercion.
2. the state or condition of being compelled.
3. Psychology. a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will.

compulsion

/ kəmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

1. the act of compelling or the state of being compelled
2. something that compels
3. See obsession
   psychiatry an inner drive that causes a person to perform actions, often of a trivial and repetitive nature, against his or her will See also obsession

compulsion

1. In psychology , an internal force that leads persons to act against their will. A “compulsive” act cannot be controlled: “Smith was a compulsive gambler.”

Other Words From

• noncom·pulsion noun
• precom·pulsion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin compulsiōn- (stem of compulsiō ), equivalent to Latin compuls ( us ), past participle of compellere to compel ( com- com- + pul- variant stem + -sus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin compellere to compel

Example Sentences

There is a monster at the end of all of my novels, and I want you to feel this unbearable compulsion to turn pages and find out what it is.

From Washington Post

It was a compulsion to build an intellectual life that blended the so-called two cultures.

From Nautilus

According to reports, education minister Lawrence Wong said that the country believes 70% adoption could help push it to its next level of reopening, phase three—but that this could be achieved only through legal compulsion.

From MIT Technology Review

Feeling tired and exasperated and overburdened a few weeks ago after working on a long and complicated story and getting very little sleep, I sourly informed Twitter that I felt a compulsion and a God-given right to commit a venial sin.

From Washington Post

So far, these companies have experienced little pushback and are under no compulsion to change.

From Eater

It is natural and created without our willing it so and without compulsion.

From The Daily Beast

And many fans may feel a compulsion to add their voice to the crowd shouting out for these rights to be protected.

From The Daily Beast

Ultimately, his fascination with the drug gave way to compulsion and a struggle to break the habit.

From The Daily Beast

Why should the compulsion to excel—which propels these privileged students to Oxford.

From The Daily Beast

One step too far, and ambition turns into unrealistic expectations, compulsion into craziness.

From The Daily Beast

We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a restiveness in human nature that resists compulsion, even to its own manifest advantage.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no need, however, to extend the régime of compulsion over the whole field.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Highcamp was a plain, bald-headed man, who only talked under compulsion.

From Project Gutenberg

Does man stand in need of compulsion before he can be brought to humble himself with sincerity?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coercion
• obsession
• preoccupation
• urgency