compulsive

adjective

com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
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
compulsively adverb
compulsiveness noun
compulsivity noun

Examples of compulsive in a Sentence

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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.
Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling. Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025 The specific steps that partners of compulsive gamblers might take to mitigate and prevent financial damage will depend on their family’s circumstances. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025 These states often trigger compulsive scrolling or posting, not because of the content itself, but because of the emotional tension underneath. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compulsive

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsīvus, from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" + -īvus -ive — more at compel

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsive was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

compulsive

adjective
com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
: caused by or subject to an irresistible urge
compulsive behavior
compulsively adverb

Medical Definition

compulsive

1 of 2 adjective
com·​pul·​sive -ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce compulsive (audio)
: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession
repetitive and compulsive behavior
compulsive hoarding
a compulsive gambler
compulsively adverb
compulsiveness noun
compulsivity noun
plural compulsivities
Prozac, which increases the amount of serotonin sloshing around brain circuits, seems to reduce the compulsivity of autism. Karen Springen, Newsweek

compulsive

2 of 2 noun
: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsive

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