as in constraints
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 compulsions
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
Political compulsions could lead to measures that expand the country's fiscal deficit, further raising borrowing costs.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The fact is, many of us will have sudden urges and compulsions today.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Political compulsions could lead to measures that expand the country's fiscal deficit, further raising borrowing costs.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
The fact is, many of us will have sudden urges and compulsions today.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsions
Noun
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Rarely in American history have US presidents supported constraints on American sovereignty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The administration cited legal advice and operational constraints in determining that only 50 percent of the usual monthly benefits could be distributed to eligible households.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Caliendo handled the rest of the game, allowing no quarterback pressures on 32 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
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But Mamdani’s rise, Piker says, has already exposed the deeper pressures facing the party in 2025.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsions. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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