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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Recent Examples of compulsion
Castro’s talent lies in meticulously creating a realistic—and entertaining—portrait of one man’s compulsions, bringing individual texture to a curious social phenomenon.
—
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
And that compulsion — a genuine, profound desire to share her findings with the world — makes for a classic, stick-to-your ribs documentary experience about a fascinating person.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
However, there is considerable compulsion to open it sooner rather than later.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of the bright colors and satisfying crunch sounds that accompany influencers’ recipe videos on Instagram, food is shot as if through Maddie’s eyes, as objects of shameful compulsion.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
And that compulsion — a genuine, profound desire to share her findings with the world — makes for a classic, stick-to-your ribs documentary experience about a fascinating person.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
However, there is considerable compulsion to open it sooner rather than later.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Instead of the bright colors and satisfying crunch sounds that accompany influencers’ recipe videos on Instagram, food is shot as if through Maddie’s eyes, as objects of shameful compulsion.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion
Noun
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For those who do know him, the optics are less about political pressure and more about simple, unadulterated pride.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Mexico enters the 2026 World Cup with the excitement and pressure of co-hosting the tournament, eager to finally break its long-standing barrier of reaching the Round of 16.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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China’s true constraints Beijing has not refrained from action against Taiwan out of deference to international law and norms.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
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That work—integrating hardware, software, sensors, safety systems, and real-world constraints—remains enormously difficult, slow, and capital-intensive.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In blockade and quarantine contingencies, lawfare and economic coercion might matter as much as air-naval power.—
Eyck Freymann,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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Since the movie's release in September, the relationship between the two has soured and in the weeks leading up to the bond hearing the filmmaker in court filings accused Goudreau of deceit, financial coercion and threatening conduct.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In recent years Beijing has ramped up its military intimidation of Taiwan, including by simulating blockades.—
Steven Jiang,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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Those groups have been active in the streets, detaining opponents and reinforcing regime authority through intimidation.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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The numbers mark a sharp reversal from a spike in violence during the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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