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
For me, one of these compulsions ended up being using the tracking app.
—
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 22 May 2026
In a clinical setting, mental health experts call such actions compulsions – behaviors that feel impossible to resist – are fueled by obsessive thoughts and eventually begin to interfere with a person’s ability to lead a normal, healthy life.
—Jordyn Tovey, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Letters admitting compulsions and guilt Judge Lopez must also weigh whether letters Cox wrote to a judge in 1993 and 1995 will be admissible.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Downgrading to a simpler phone, such as an old-school flip phone, could also help curb social media compulsions.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Within a week, the compulsions disappeared.
—J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
These compulsions come from the same place as the impulse to punish Renee Nicole Good for protesting, for not bending to patriarchal authority.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 22 May 2026
In a clinical setting, mental health experts call such actions compulsions – behaviors that feel impossible to resist – are fueled by obsessive thoughts and eventually begin to interfere with a person’s ability to lead a normal, healthy life.
—Jordyn Tovey, The Conversation, 22 May 2026
As the investigation twists and intensifies, Izzy is forced to confront her own compulsions and the personal cost of her pursuit of justice.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
Letters admitting compulsions and guilt Judge Lopez must also weigh whether letters Cox wrote to a judge in 1993 and 1995 will be admissible.
—Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
Downgrading to a simpler phone, such as an old-school flip phone, could also help curb social media compulsions.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Within a week, the compulsions disappeared.
—J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026
James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
These compulsions come from the same place as the impulse to punish Renee Nicole Good for protesting, for not bending to patriarchal authority.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsions
Noun
-
An athlete who could earn more in NIL but for House constraints can plausibly argue they are being prevented from earning compensation.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 June 2026
-
City attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite told council members the moratorium cannot be applied to projects that were already approved because of constraints within state law.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The Tiburtinis’ decision may have been unusual, but the pressures behind it were not.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Done correctly, civilianization can put more officers on patrol, reduce overtime pressures and save taxpayers money over time.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsions. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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