as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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Recent Examples of compulsive
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The specific steps that partners of compulsive gamblers might take to mitigate and prevent financial damage will depend on their family’s circumstances.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The specific steps that partners of compulsive gamblers might take to mitigate and prevent financial damage will depend on their family’s circumstances.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
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Without Jamie Lloyd’s cameras there to do close-ups, Scherzinger played the anti-heroine just a little less for obsessive mania and more for pure Barbra-style butter.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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Lillard is perhaps known for portraying Stu Macher — one-half of the horror-obsessive-turned-serial-killing duo, alongside Skeet Ulrich’s Billy Loomis — in the 1996 original, which has since spawned a decades-long franchise.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Concerned that Barack Obama was running away with the race, John McCain made an impulsive gamble, boldly picking the largely unknown Alaska governor Sarah Palin.—
Time,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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His demeanor speaks to the archer's fiery nature and impulsive behavior, keeping their characteristics in sync.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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