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

They were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, exercise bulimia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and alexithymia (the inability to identify, feel, and express their emotions). —Anna Borges, SELF, 12 Aug. 2025

Trudy Monk died in a car bomb explosion years before the show began, the incident which exacerbated the obsessive-compulsive tendencies in police detective–turned–private investigator Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub). —Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2025

The offensive lineman's 2024 NFL campaign ended prematurely due to Smith's struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Sami Sheen has opened up about her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a new video posted to social media. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025

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