compulsive
Americanadjective
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compelling; compulsory.
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Psychology.
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pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion.
a compulsive desire to cry.
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governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.
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noun
adjective
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The investigation centres on "possible unfair commercial practices" linked to the premature use of adult cosmestics, including "encouraging the compulsive purchase of face masks, serums and anti-aging creams" to children under the age of 10.
From BBC
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.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
