COMPULSION Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsion

noun

kəm-ˈpəl-shən

Definition of compulsion

as in pressure

the use of power to impose one's will on another in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of compulsion In fairness, the compulsion to go full-on Chicken Little is hard to resist. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026 But per the Black List, the story follows an antisocial man suffering from obsessive compulsions who is haunted by the death of his hoarder mother. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026 The comedian has built her career by wringing laughs out of a compulsion to share her own worst thoughts about her body, life, and career through the lens of a glamorous cabaret diva. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 The administration is right that trust matters more than compulsion alone. — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsion

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion

Noun

Parallax credits a young female audience with growing clout for proving that films about gender roles, relationships and social pressure can pull in big numbers.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Much of that unease stems from mounting costs, and the pressure is being felt across the supply chain.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressure

Noun

Many have been feeling the squeeze as costs for inputs like diesel, fertilizer and seed have soared thanks to refinery constraints and supply disruptions amid the Iran war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
In California, municipal utilities face constraints in raising rates under Proposition 218, a ballot initiative passed in 1996 that says fees must reflect the costs of providing service.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraint

Noun

Terrorist organizations also frequently use public executions as a means of intimidation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026
Other federal laws, which more broadly prohibit any intimidation of, or interference with, voters may also be applied to keep armed officials from appearing at polling places.

— Danielle Friedman, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of intimidation

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
In a statement to Rolling Stone, the singer’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, praised her bravery in fighting the agreement that would have barred her from speaking about her experience and her work with domestic-violence groups.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

comps

compulsion

compulsions

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“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of compulsion

noun

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