as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compulsive
During questioning at the Austin Police Department, Mejia marred her credibility and inadvertently presented herself as a compulsive liar by initially telling police different stories about how Casiano was burned.
—
Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
There are discretionary income, repeat business and compulsive collectors at state.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Shay was diagnosed with preeclampsia and later HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) and later postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 22 July 2025
They were then allowed to engage in their compulsive behavior (e.g., hand washing) before finally sitting in relief after performing the compulsion.
—New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
There are discretionary income, repeat business and compulsive collectors at state.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Shay was diagnosed with preeclampsia and later HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) and later postpartum obsessive compulsive disorder.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 22 July 2025
They were then allowed to engage in their compulsive behavior (e.g., hand washing) before finally sitting in relief after performing the compulsion.
—New Atlas, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
-
Part memoir, part manual, Kobe gave a behind-the-scenes look at his training routine, film study habits, recovery practices, and his obsessive attention to detail.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Part of the thing about shadow casting is getting your costumes to be screen accurate to a really obsessive degree.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Acting swiftly is essential but avoid impulsive decisions.—
Raymond Umerley,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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His impulsive diplomacy and disregard for allies make a sustainable peace unlikely.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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