compulsive

adjective

com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
Synonyms of compulsivenext
1
: having power to compel
forced to resort to compulsive measures
2
: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession
compulsive actions
a compulsive gambler
compulsive eating
compulsively adverb
compulsiveness noun
compulsivity
kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsi-və-tē How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
ˌkäm-
noun

Synonyms of compulsive

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Examples of compulsive in a Sentence

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rob-Will is compulsive in his need to do the wrong thing every time. — William Earl, Variety, 3 July 2026 Experts say crime and violence are strongly linked to issues with impulse control, and the drugs appear to work on parts of the brain linked to compulsive behavior like overeating. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 18 June 2026 In nearly three decades of practice, Bain can remember only one dog whose grazing was truly compulsive, and that dog obsessively ate everything, not just plants. — Niranjana Rajalakshmi, Popular Science, 4 June 2026 Right from the start, that relatively brief partnership was transformative, producing a near-compulsive Google Maps habit for early users that still persists in much of the world. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsive

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsīvus, from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" + -īvus -ive — more at compel

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsive was in 1588

Phrases Containing compulsive

Rhymes for compulsive

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Browse Nearby Words

compulsitor
compulsive
compulsorily
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Cite this Entry

“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compulsive

adjective
com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
: caused by or subject to an irresistible urge
compulsive behavior
compulsively adverb

Medical Definition

compulsive

1 of 2 adjective
com·​pul·​sive -ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession
repetitive and compulsive behavior
compulsive hoarding
a compulsive gambler
compulsively adverb
compulsiveness noun
compulsivity
kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsiv-ət-ē, ˌkäm- How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
noun
plural compulsivities
Prozac, which increases the amount of serotonin sloshing around brain circuits, seems to reduce the compulsivity of autism. —Karen Springen, Newsweek

compulsive

2 of 2 noun
: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsive

Nglish: Translation of compulsive for Spanish Speakers

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