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

compulsively adverb

compulsiveness noun

compulsivity

kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsi-və-tē 

ˌkäm-

noun

Synonyms of compulsive

• obsessive
• impulsive

Examples of compulsive in a Sentence

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying

Recent Examples on the Web

But in recent years, researchers have homed in specifically on behaviors that indicate compulsive use of social media. —Carmel Wroth, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026

Stanford psychiatrist Anna Lembke, author of Dopamine Nation and an expert witness called by the plaintiffs in the Meta and YouTube trial, argues that compulsive tech use taps into the brain’s reward circuitry in ways that mirror drug addiction. —Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Today’s verdict comes after five weeks of trial in a case brought on by a now 20-year-old woman, Kaley GM, who accused Meta and Google’s YouTube of causing her harm by worsening her struggles with body dysmorphia and compulsive use of both platforms. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 Mar. 2026

Meta executives emphasized at trial that the company continuously improves safety and addresses compulsive social media use without infringing on free speech or censoring users. —Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing compulsive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

Rhymes for compulsive

• convulsive
• expulsive
• impulsive
• propulsive
• repulsive
• electroconvulsive

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

kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsiv-ət-ē, ˌkäm- 

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