compulsive
compelling; compulsory.
Psychology.
pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: a compulsive desire to cry.
governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.
Psychology. a person whose behavior is governed by a compulsion.
Origin of compulsive
1Other words from compulsive
- com·pul·sive·ly, adverb
- com·pul·sive·ness, com·pul·siv·i·ty [kuhm-puhl-siv-i-tee, kom-puhl-], /kəm pʌlˈsɪv ɪ ti, ˌkɒm pʌl-/, noun
- non·com·pul·sive, adjective
- non·com·pul·sive·ly, adverb
- qua·si-com·pul·sive, adjective
- qua·si-com·pul·sive·ly, adverb
- un·com·pul·sive, adjective
- un·com·pul·sive·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with compulsive
- compulsive , impulsive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use compulsive in a sentence
To her credit, Carol openly admits that Harry is a “money pit,” with a long and pricey daily prescription list for his arthritis, chronic colitis, cracked paw pads and a range of obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
A ‘money pit’ dog, an ailing owner and one big question | Diane Cole | February 5, 2021 | Washington PostMaren Larsen, Buyer’s Guide deputy editorI read Strangers Drowning, a book by Larissa MacFarquhar about extreme, seemingly compulsive altruists.
I have used this compulsiveness to jump start myself in foreign languages.
British Dictionary definitions for compulsive
/ (kəmˈpʌlsɪv) /
relating to or involving compulsion
psychiatry an individual who is subject to a psychological compulsion
Derived forms of compulsive
- compulsively, adverb
- compulsiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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