COMPULSIONS Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsions

noun

plural of compulsion

as in constraints

the use of power to impose one's will on another in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered

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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.

Recent Examples of compulsions The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 But per the Black List, the story follows an antisocial man suffering from obsessive compulsions who is haunted by the death of his hoarder mother. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026 These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 For me, one of these compulsions ended up being using the tracking app. — Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 22 May 2026 Letters admitting compulsions and guilt Judge Lopez must also weigh whether letters Cox wrote to a judge in 1993 and 1995 will be admissible. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026 Downgrading to a simpler phone, such as an old-school flip phone, could also help curb social media compulsions. — ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 Within a week, the compulsions disappeared. — J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026 James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsions

Noun

Worries have coalesced around whether public opposition or supply chain constraints will limit the buildout, and if revenues will keep up with Big Tech’s breakneck infrastructure spending.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Backers of electric WIGs view them as a more-practical alternative to eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which face major adoption barriers due to operational constraints and regulatory challenges.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraints

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compulsion

compulsions

compulsive

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“Compulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsions. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsions

noun

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