compulsive
adjective
com·pul·sive
kəm-ˈpəl-siv 
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
Examples of compulsive in a Sentence
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
Recent Examples on the Web
This, for the compulsive caretaker, can be difficult to manage.
—
Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023
Addiction occurs when there is a compulsive urge to engage in a behavior despite harmful consequences.
—Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 16 Sep. 2023
Then, that plan must also offer unlimited visits for a mental health condition, such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Maya T. Prabhu, ajc, 11 Sep. 2023
In Mississippi, a long-standing $100,000 annual allotment to a compulsive gambling organization was eliminated in 2017 amid other state budget cuts.
—David A. Lieb, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2023
Worming his way into Felix’s good graces with compulsive lies and tactical favors, Oliver scores an invitation to spend the summer at Saltburn, the palatial countryside estate where Felix lives with his studiedly eccentric clan.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
Animals can suffer from many of the same mental illnesses that humans do, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023
Many also experience a compulsive need to paint, which can lead to repetitive designs or color patterns, Miller said.
—Bree Iskandar, STAT, 10 Aug. 2023
Meanwhile, Ace, angry and humiliated after being a pawn in Jack’s desire to achieve what their father couldn’t, decides to take back his life’s narrative – addressing his weaknesses, and pressing back against his brother’s compulsive need to be in control.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 July 2023
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Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2023
Addiction occurs when there is a compulsive urge to engage in a behavior despite harmful consequences.
—Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 16 Sep. 2023
Then, that plan must also offer unlimited visits for a mental health condition, such as depression or obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Maya T. Prabhu, ajc, 11 Sep. 2023
In Mississippi, a long-standing $100,000 annual allotment to a compulsive gambling organization was eliminated in 2017 amid other state budget cuts.
—David A. Lieb, The Enquirer, 7 Sep. 2023
Worming his way into Felix’s good graces with compulsive lies and tactical favors, Oliver scores an invitation to spend the summer at Saltburn, the palatial countryside estate where Felix lives with his studiedly eccentric clan.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
Animals can suffer from many of the same mental illnesses that humans do, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023
Many also experience a compulsive need to paint, which can lead to repetitive designs or color patterns, Miller said.
—Bree Iskandar, STAT, 10 Aug. 2023
Meanwhile, Ace, angry and humiliated after being a pawn in Jack’s desire to achieve what their father couldn’t, decides to take back his life’s narrative – addressing his weaknesses, and pressing back against his brother’s compulsive need to be in control.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 27 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compulsive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing compulsive
Dictionary Entries Near compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
compulsive
adjective
com·pul·sive
kəm-ˈpəl-siv
: caused by or subject to an irresistible urge
compulsive behavior
compulsively
adverb
Medical Definition
compulsive
1 of 2 adjective
com·pul·sive
-ˈpəl-siv
: 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
Karen Springen, Newsweek
compulsive
2 of 2 noun
: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion
More from Merriam-Webster on compulsive
Nglish: Translation of compulsive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of compulsive for Arabic Speakers
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