as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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Recent Examples of compulsive
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The specific steps that partners of compulsive gamblers might take to mitigate and prevent financial damage will depend on their family’s circumstances.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
Reasons for dogs to start barking include illness or injury, territorial response, acting as an alarm, attention seeking, greeting, compulsive, frustration or separation anxiety.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
GLP-1s for Addiction Soon after GLP-1s became available for diabetes and then weight loss, users began anecdotally reporting fewer cravings for things like cigarettes and alcohol and less desire to engage in compulsive activities like shopping or gambling.
—Becky Upham, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Oct. 2025
The specific steps that partners of compulsive gamblers might take to mitigate and prevent financial damage will depend on their family’s circumstances.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
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Weaver plays Grandma Helen, the matriarch of the family and mother of Gavin and Abbi’s deceased father, who was an obsessive hoarder.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Nov. 2025
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And interestingly, there’s no resentment between the obsessive and the expressive explorers, Brown said.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Young Luke was unfiltered and impulsive — what teenagers aren’t?—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
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The book follows a family dynasty — and specifically, the impulsive daughter of an automotive magnate — in 1927 Motor City, which has long enthralled the Salt to the Sea author.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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