compulsive

American  

[kuhm-puhl-siv] / kəmˈpʌl sɪv /

adjective

1. compelling; compulsory.

2. Psychology.

   1. pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion.

      a compulsive desire to cry.

   2. governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.

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noun

1. Psychology. a person whose behavior is governed by a compulsion.

compulsive British  

/ kəmˈpʌlsɪv /

adjective

1. relating to or involving compulsion

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noun

1. psychiatry an individual who is subject to a psychological compulsion

Other Word Forms

• compulsively adverb
• compulsiveness noun
• compulsivity noun
• noncompulsive adjective
• noncompulsively adverb
• quasi-compulsive adjective
• quasi-compulsively adverb
• uncompulsive adjective
• uncompulsively adverb

Etymology

Origin of compulsive

First recorded in 1595–1605; obsolete compulse, verb (from Latin compuls(us), past participle of compellere; compulsion ) + -ive

Example Sentences

She says her compulsive use of social media made her “feel very depressed” and that unrealistic images she saw on the platforms made her feel insecure about her appearance.

From The Wall Street Journal

An online content creator who has a compulsive hair-pulling disorder says others with the condition "shouldn't be ashamed" or "feel embarrassed".

From BBC

Lowenthal’s bill cited social media’s dangers such as “exposure to harmful content, compulsive use patterns, exploitation, and adverse impacts on mental health and well-being.”

From Los Angeles Times

The trial will determine whether Google and Meta deliberately designed their platforms to encourage compulsive use among young people, damaging their mental health in the process.

From Barron's

For years, scientists have believed that compulsive behaviors happen when people become trapped in a "habit loop" that overrides self-control.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• enthusiastic
• irresistible
• passionate
• uncontrollable