obsessive-compulsive

adjective

ob·​ses·​sive-com·​pul·​sive äb-ˈse-siv-kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

əb-

: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

an obsessive-compulsive personality

obsessive-compulsive behavior

obsessive-compulsive noun

Examples of obsessive-compulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Importantly, some psychiatric conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder are characterized by impulsivity, or a lack of hesitation, while excessive hesitation is a crippling consequence of several anxiety disorders. —Eric Yttri, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026

Cole’s attorneys pointed to his lack of criminal record and diagnoses for autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder as reasons to let him out of jail as the case progresses. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 30 Jan. 2026

Ingram first went into the program in 2021 while with the Predators, dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. —Joe Smith, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026

Antidepressants are also used to treat a wide variety of other conditions, such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for obsessive-compulsive

• compulsive
• convulsive
• expulsive
• impulsive
• propulsive
• repulsive
• electroconvulsive

Medical Definition

obsessive-compulsive

1 of 2 adjective

: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of an obsessive-compulsive disorder

obsessive-compulsive

2 of 2 noun

: an individual affected with an obsessive-compulsive disorder