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
But in the wee hours one night, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, another compulsive swipe up on her phone screen led to a video from Mayan Lopez, the daughter of comedian George Lopez.
—
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Financial planners often advise compulsive shoppers to take a beat after putting something in their online carts — to consider payment strategies or wait a day and come back.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
Groups that treat or seek to prevent compulsive gambling are always concerned as the Super Bowl approaches, let alone one with the anticipated betting activity this year's game is likely to have.
—Wayne Parry, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2024
Much has been made of the ways in which social-media sites made internet life compulsive and all-consuming.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
Researchers believe that kleptomania may be a maladaptive response to a depressive mood state and the feelings of guilt and shame that follow instances of compulsive stealing can intensify these feelings of depression.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The key signs of CHS are regular pot use and compulsive bathing.
—Molly Sullivan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
The apps are dopamine-manipulating products that gamify romance and dating and operate on a secret algorithm that encourages compulsive use, according to the suit.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2024
The signs can include intense cravings for one’s object of affection, a fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, emotional turmoil and compulsive behaviors to retain the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Financial planners often advise compulsive shoppers to take a beat after putting something in their online carts — to consider payment strategies or wait a day and come back.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
Groups that treat or seek to prevent compulsive gambling are always concerned as the Super Bowl approaches, let alone one with the anticipated betting activity this year's game is likely to have.
—Wayne Parry, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2024
Much has been made of the ways in which social-media sites made internet life compulsive and all-consuming.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2024
Researchers believe that kleptomania may be a maladaptive response to a depressive mood state and the feelings of guilt and shame that follow instances of compulsive stealing can intensify these feelings of depression.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The key signs of CHS are regular pot use and compulsive bathing.
—Molly Sullivan, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024
The apps are dopamine-manipulating products that gamify romance and dating and operate on a secret algorithm that encourages compulsive use, according to the suit.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2024
The signs can include intense cravings for one’s object of affection, a fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, emotional turmoil and compulsive behaviors to retain the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
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 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
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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