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
Like any activity that combines money, uncertainty and risk, prediction markets can lead to compulsive behaviors in a subset of users.
—
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lin Sternlicht is a therapist and cofounder of Family Addiction Specialist, a private practice specializing in helping clients overcome compulsive behaviors around sports betting and other online platforms.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
This goes against how therapists try combat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other compulsive behavior, which is predicated on fostering self-trust and accepting uncertainty, the reporting notes.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Viewers follow this meagre trail methodically, greedily, with heads down, driven by compulsive curiosity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lin Sternlicht is a therapist and cofounder of Family Addiction Specialist, a private practice specializing in helping clients overcome compulsive behaviors around sports betting and other online platforms.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
This goes against how therapists try combat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other compulsive behavior, which is predicated on fostering self-trust and accepting uncertainty, the reporting notes.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Viewers follow this meagre trail methodically, greedily, with heads down, driven by compulsive curiosity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
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Bonus points for prescient insights into the dark side of obsessive super-fandom.—
Laura Zigman,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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But although resistance is similarly futile, their goals are less about assimilation than worshipping the obsessive Grant's wife, Starla (Elizabeth Banks).—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Mercury will eventually square off with Pluto on May 5, triggering everything from impulsive decisions to over-the-top reactions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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Before medical intervention, some patients are impulsive with their eating and constantly think about their next meal.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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