compulsive

adjective com·pul·sive \ kəm-ˈpəl-siv \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

Definition of compulsive

1 : having power to compel

forced to resort to compulsive measures

2 : of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession

compulsive actions

a compulsive gambler

compulsive eating

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compulsively

adverb

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compulsiveness

noun

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compulsivity

play \kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsi-və-tē, ˌkäm-\ noun

See compulsive defined for English-language learners

See compulsive defined for kids

Examples of compulsive in a Sentence

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying

Recent Examples of compulsive from the Web

Nikolas Cruz was labeled in some records as having autism, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

— brittany wallman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Broken relationship haunts brothers Nikolas and Zachary Cruz," 16 Apr. 2018
His image is one of ironic self-awareness and near-compulsive intellectualism.

— michael friedrich, The New Republic, "Men and Apparitions Dissects A Male Feminist’s Crisis," 9 Apr. 2018
Grier isn’t obsessive-compulsive, but the senior does like to keep a neat house.

— matt murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "West Virginia quarterback Will Grier works to maintain perfect order on, off field," 8 Apr. 2018
Diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder as teenagers, the twin sisters' lives were consumed with disgust at everything around them.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Twin sisters known for spirited battle with OCD die in possible 'suicide pact'," 5 Apr. 2018
The student manager is a sophomore who has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.

— chris chavez, SI.com, "Report: Siena Coach Investigated For Verbally Abusing Team Manager With Mental Disorder," 4 Apr. 2018
Diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder as teenagers, the twin sisters' lives were consumed with disgust at everything around them.

— samantha schmidt, chicagotribune.com, "Twin sisters known for battling severe OCD die in possible 'suicide pact'," 4 Apr. 2018
Other reasons doctors cited for giving patients Seroquel ran the gamut: obsessive compulsive disorder and autism, nausea and poor appetite, even erectile dysfunction.

— amy ellis nutt, Washington Post, "One of America’s most popular drugs — first aimed at schizophrenia — reveals the issues of ‘off-label’ use," 30 Mar. 2018
But despite all the build-up and all the unverified over-the-top claims made by her lawyer and all the constant obsessive-compulsive media obsession, Cooper's interview did fall flat and once again came off -- sorry, Anderson this is creepy.

— Fox News, "Hannity: CNN's creepy new obsession," 26 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of compulsive

see compulsion

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1588

See Words from the same year

compulsive Synonyms

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

COMPULSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

compulsive

adjective

Definition of compulsive for English Language Learners

: caused by a desire that is too strong to resist : impossible to stop or control
: not able to stop or control doing something
: very interesting

Medical Dictionary

compulsive

adjective com·pul·sive \ -ˈpəl-siv \

medical Definition of compulsive

: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession

repetitive and compulsive behavior

compulsive hoarding

a compulsive gambler

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compulsively

adverb

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compulsiveness

noun

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compulsivity

play \kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsiv-ət-ē, ˌkäm-\ noun, plural -ties

- Prozac, which increases the amount of serotonin sloshing around brain circuits, seems to reduce the compulsivity of autism.
- —Karen Springen, Newsweek, 13 May 1996