addictive

adjective

ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv 

a-

: causing or characterized by addiction

an addictive drug

an addictive personality

Synonyms of addictive

• addicting

Examples of addictive in a Sentence

highly addictive drugs like crack and heroin

the addictive thrill of surfing

Recent Examples on the Web

The daily grind of operational chaos can be oddly addictive, particularly for those of us with ADHD. — Chris Kille, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Yet no compulsion-inducing product – not even the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl – always induces addictive or self-destructive behavior. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2026

The lawsuit stresses an allegedly addictive design interface meant to addict users, particularly children. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026

The measures, set to be introduced to the Parliament of Australia this year, will also require AI chatbots, online games and other digital services to take action to protect under-18s from addictive design features. — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

addict entry 2 + -ive

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for addictive

• constrictive
• predictive
• restrictive
• vindictive
• magnetostrictive

Kids Definition

addictive

adjective

ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv 

a-

: causing or characterized by addiction

an addictive drug

an addictive game

Medical Definition

addictive

adjective

ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv 

: causing or characterized by addiction

addictive drugs

Legal Definition

addictive

adjective

ad·​dic·​tive ə-ˈdik-tiv 

: causing or characterized by addiction

addictive drugs