compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
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.

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The smart money is on those with a long-term vision, capable of acting in the best interest of the future, instead of the compulsions of the moment, which will eventually delineate the posers and the professionals. Parijat Banerjee, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 Some eager part of me—my inner novelist, perhaps—leaps at the opportunity to explain this compulsion in narrative terms. Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 Yet against this very backdrop, and despite a growing number of calls to the state problem gambling hotline, the Legislature in budget negotiations this year nixed a proposal to earmark an additional 1% of sports betting revenue to help those struggling with gambling compulsions. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 July 2024 Lila is trying to destroy their relationship; his inability to resist women is something out of his control, a chronic compulsion, a disorder. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for compulsion 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compulsion, compulsioun "coercion," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French compulsion, borrowed from Latin compulsiōn-, compulsiō, derivative, with the suffix of verbal action -tiōn-, -tiō, of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus); (sense 2) translation of German Zwang — more at compel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near compulsion

Cite this Entry

“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsion. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
1
: an act of compelling : the state of being compelled
2
: a force that compels
3
: an irresistible persistent urge
felt a compulsion to eat

Medical Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing)
also : the act itself compare obsession, phobia

Legal Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
1
: an act of compelling (as by threat or intimidation)
specifically : coercion
a payment exacted by lawless compulsion E. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young
2
: the state of being compelled
specifically : duress

Note: Compulsion can make a contract voidable or be a ground for damages or restitution. Compulsion may also be a defense to a criminal act.

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsion

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