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

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 • Mar. 25, 2026

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 • Mar. 24, 2026

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 • Mar. 21, 2026

Classical music lover Van der Bruggen described himself as "intense", stubborn, and a compulsive inventor.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

The men experienced reduction in the dopamine transporter, a protein, as compared to a control group of nine men who were not compulsive Internet users.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• enthusiastic
• irresistible
• passionate
• uncontrollable