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; 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.

Example Sentences

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

Only now - 20 years later and more than £500,000 worse off - does Sally realise her compulsive behaviour was the result of taking this medication.

From BBC • May 1, 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

The trial lawyers’ best argument is that platforms should have done more to limit compulsive teen use.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

As the study of chess had been compulsive when he was a boy, so now his mind was captivated by deep, serious study of history, philosophy, and other topics.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• enthusiastic
• irresistible
• passionate
• uncontrollable