compulsion

com·pul·sion

noun \kəm-ˈpəl-shən\

Definition of COMPULSION

1

a : an act of compelling : the state of being compelled

b : a force that compels

2

: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing); also : the act itself

Examples of COMPULSION

1. I gave in to one of my compulsions and ordered the chocolate dessert.
2. We should be able to get them to cooperate without using compulsion.

Origin of COMPULSION

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin compulsion-, compulsio, from Latin compellere to compel

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to COMPULSION

Synonyms

arm-twisting, coercion, force, constraint, duress, pressure

Related Words

browbeating, bulldozing, bullying; fear, intimidation, menace, sword, terror, terrorism, threat, violence; squeeze, squeeze play; might, muscle, potency, puissance, strength; hardheadedness, self-will, willfulness; strain, stress

Near Antonyms

agreement, approval, consent, permission; convincing, persuasion, reason, suasion

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with COMPULSION

avulsion, convulsion, emulsion, evulsion, expulsion, impulsion, propulsion, repulsion, revulsion

com·pul·sion

noun \kəm-ˈpəl-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of COMPULSION

: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing); also : the act itself—compare obsession, phobia