addicting

adjective

ad·​dict·​ing ə-ˈdik-tiŋ 

: causing addiction : addictive

a

: causing a compulsive, chronic, physiological or psychological need for a habit-forming substance, behavior, or activity

Although codeine is potentially addicting, it rarely causes physical dependence when taken orally for a short time.

—Consumer Reports

b

: producing a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly

This relish is typically used as a topping for bruschetta …—but I find it so addicting I can simply eat spoonfuls from a bowl.

—Francisco J. Robert

Synonyms

• addictive
• habit-forming

Examples of addicting in a Sentence

cocaine is highly addicting

Recent Examples on the Web

Penn Badgley's Joe Goldberg will no longer haunt our TV screens with his salacious — yet addicting — crimes as his reign as everyone's favorite serial killer (ew?) is officially coming to an end in season 5. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

This show is like Grey’s Anatomy meets Bravo’s Below Deck: ridiculous, dramatic, and totally addicting. —Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 2025

TikTok is not so unique, or so uniquely potent; an Americanized TikTok will still be just as addicting and just as manipulative in service to its new corporate stakeholders. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2025

Minimalist artists Sol LeWitt, Frank Stella and Donald Judd seemed to know this, captivating us with the addicting lucidity of their stark lines, colors and shapes. —Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of addict entry 2

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for addicting

• afflicting
• conflicting
• constricting
• convicting
• depicting
• evicting
• inflicting
• predicting
• restricting
• contradicting