addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv 
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive personality
Examples of addictive in a Sentence
highly addictive drugs like crack and heroin
the addictive thrill of surfing
Recent Examples on the Web
Health officials say tianeptine can be addictive and dangerous, causing problems ranging from high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat to respiratory failure, coma and death.
—
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
In a dark time for the industry, these addictive vertical shorts are booming.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Certain symptoms that signaled addictive food behavior were also more common among women, like inability to decrease intake, greater cravings and distress about their consumption.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Nov. 2025
There are growing calls for Congress to re-enter the sports betting arena, particularly due to concerns about the prevalence of college students betting on sports and the addictive qualities of gambling.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for addictive
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.
Christopher Harris, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025
In a dark time for the industry, these addictive vertical shorts are booming.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Certain symptoms that signaled addictive food behavior were also more common among women, like inability to decrease intake, greater cravings and distress about their consumption.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Nov. 2025
There are growing calls for Congress to re-enter the sports betting arena, particularly due to concerns about the prevalence of college students betting on sports and the addictive qualities of gambling.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for addictive
Cite this Entry
“Addictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addictive. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive game
Medical Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs
Legal Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share