COMPULSION Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsion

noun

kəm-ˈpəl-shən

Definition of compulsion

as in pressure

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 compulsion The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 Generalized anxiety may manifest itself in depression, compulsion or restlessness. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 At a time like this, poetry must embrace a compulsion for awareness. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion

Noun

Tan pointed to elevated rental, labor and energy costs as pressures on restaurant profitability.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Flagg came into the league able to handle physicality and pressure.

— Victor Wembanyama, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of pressure

Noun

Cities face tighter power constraints Urban regulations can significantly reduce the number of locations available for large energy projects.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
That agreement remains unimplemented due to what the government has termed budgetary constraints.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of constraint

Noun

Opponents have branded the bill unsafe and unworkable, citing concerns around potential coercion of vulnerable people and a lack of safeguards for those with disabilities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026
Lawmakers, medical colleges and religious leaders raised concerns over coercion, disability rights and uncertain prognoses, while supporters warned the defeat leaves dying patients traveling abroad for assistance under the current law.

— Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of coercion

Noun

But Rybakina showed no intimidation, quickly coming through with a decisive break to clinch the victory after Gauff sent her overhead shot out of bounds, much to the shock of those there to root on the American.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Maryland leaders must make clear that brutality and lawless intimidation will not be tolerated.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Noun

Because colonial powers have always feared the child who survives its violence and continues to imagine a sky beyond its rule.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
North Carolina Democrats in the state’s House of Representatives cut all ties with one of their candidates running for the state legislature after her past social media posts about violence against Republicans came to light.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

comps

compulsion

compulsions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compulsion

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsion

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes