Synonyms of compulsive

compulsive

adjective

kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

as in obsessive

caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obsessive
• impulsive
• obsessional
• driven
• spontaneous
• automatic
• instinctive
• uncontrollable
• besetting
• irrepressible
• reflex
• mechanical
• unconscious
• unpredictable
• unthinking
• involuntary
• conditioned
• knee-jerk
• whimsical
• capricious
• unwitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• willful
• manageable
• controllable
• unforced
• resistible

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compulsive

Rob-Will is compulsive in his need to do the wrong thing every time. — William Earl, Variety, 3 July 2026

Chronic decision fatigue can show up as procrastination, avoidance, irritability, indecisiveness, emotional numbness, compulsive information gathering or an overreliance on consensus. — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Experts say crime and violence are strongly linked to issues with impulse control, and the drugs appear to work on parts of the brain linked to compulsive behavior like overeating. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Right from the start, that relatively brief partnership was transformative, producing a near-compulsive Google Maps habit for early users that still persists in much of the world. — Literary Hub, 17 June 2026