compulsion

American  

[kuhm-puhl-shuhn] / kəmˈpʌl ʃən /

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.

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compulsion British  

/ kəmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

1. the act of compelling or the state of being compelled

2. something that compels

3. 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

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compulsion Cultural  

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.”

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Other Word Forms

• noncompulsion noun
• precompulsion noun

Etymology

Origin of compulsion

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

Example Sentences

Here, Beethoven exerts a compulsion for triumphant glory.

From Los Angeles Times

Like others I have spoken to, he says he initially enjoyed the compulsion but now feels trapped - unable to tell his doctor, or even his wife, as she also attends his appointments.

From BBC

"Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, feelings and sensations while compulsions are repeated, ritualised acts that are done to neutralise or alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsessions," Nina tells the BBC's Complex podcast.

From BBC

That homework was part of a deeper process of breaking down the compulsions and frustrations that all artists share.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a compulsion for me—I have to write music,” he told Rolling Stone.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coercion
• obsession
• preoccupation
• urgency