compulsion

noun com·pul·sion \ kəm-ˈpəl-shən \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of compulsion

1 a : an act of compelling

tried to get them to cooperate without using compulsion

: the state of being compelled

He was acting under compulsion.

b : a force that compels

2 : an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (such as excessive hand washing)

her compulsion to repeatedly check and recheck the stove to be certain that it is turned off

; also : the act itself

Gambling is a compulsion with him.

See compulsion defined for English-language learners

See compulsion defined for kids

Examples of compulsion in a Sentence

I gave in to one of my compulsions and ordered the chocolate dessert.
We should be able to get them to cooperate without using compulsion.

Recent Examples of compulsion from the Web

In the past, the psychiatric community generally regarded pathological gambling as more of a compulsion than an addiction—a behavior primarily motivated by the need to relieve anxiety rather than a craving for intense pleasure.

— ferris jabr, Scientific American, "How the Brain Gets Addicted to Gambling," 14 May 2018
Meacham shows how the Ku Klux Klan rose and fell and then rose and fell again, how fear and the compulsion to exploit that fear by manipulative leaders threatened to overcome those who refused to give in to it.

— ray locker, USA TODAY, "Author Jon Meacham looks into 'The Soul of America' and offers hope for the future," 8 May 2018
The idea also ties in with the marble angels that decorate our signature high-rise cemeteries and our incurable compulsion to costume.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "If you spot a Tricentennial Angel Monday (May 7), send us a photo," 7 May 2018
Shandling was also left with a compulsion to get to the kind of uncomfortable emotional honesty that his family worked so hard to avoid.

— karla peterson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Garry Shandling documentary on HBO is must-see TV for comedy freaks and geeks," 28 Mar. 2018
The idea also ties in with the marble angels that have alighted in our signature high-rise cemeteries and our incurable compulsion to costume.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "300 tricentennial angels will pop up in one week (May 7)," 30 Apr. 2018
With drinking, over the years, the great alcoholic writers have similarly transformed ordinary compulsion and degradation into literary myth.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Writing and Alcohol: A Reckoning," 6 Apr. 2018
Stardew Valley is a perfect loop, one that turns repetitive monotony into therapeutic compulsion.

— sam white, GQ, "You Could Use a Style Upgrade," 21 Mar. 2018
America tried compulsion, by isolating Cuba for decades.

— The Economist, "The fade of the house of Castro," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compulsion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.