obsessive-compulsive

adjective

ob·​ses·​sive-com·​pul·​sive äb-ˈse-siv-kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

əb-

: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

an obsessive-compulsive personality

obsessive-compulsive behavior

obsessive-compulsive noun

Examples of obsessive-compulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Research on psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder shows that avoidance and reassurance provide quick relief but deepen long-term suffering. —Dr. Jesse Finkelstein, Time, 9 Jan. 2026

But much of it is simply my personality, which borders on the obsessive-compulsive. —Tom Vanderbilt, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2025

In a federal court filing Tuesday morning, Cole's attorneys said he has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. —Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025

Some clients proclaim to their therapist that their partner has obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, autism, or ADHD, even though their partner hasn’t been clinically diagnosed with such a condition. —Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for obsessive-compulsive

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

Medical Definition

obsessive-compulsive

1 of 2 adjective

: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of an obsessive-compulsive disorder

obsessive-compulsive

2 of 2 noun

: an individual affected with an obsessive-compulsive disorder