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
In some cases, perfectionist behaviors can be symptoms of an anxiety disorder, depression, and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
—
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
Ruff also noted that his compulsive drive to fix everything drives his wife nuts.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
For some, impulsivity is also behind disordered eating habits—this is especially the case for binge eating, or chronic, compulsive overeating.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 19 Mar. 2025
Count My Lies centers on compulsive liar Sloane Caraway, who bluffs her way into a job as a nanny for a gorgeous and charismatic couple, Violet and Jay Lockhart.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
Ruff also noted that his compulsive drive to fix everything drives his wife nuts.
—Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
For some, impulsivity is also behind disordered eating habits—this is especially the case for binge eating, or chronic, compulsive overeating.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 19 Mar. 2025
Count My Lies centers on compulsive liar Sloane Caraway, who bluffs her way into a job as a nanny for a gorgeous and charismatic couple, Violet and Jay Lockhart.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
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But the obsessive, granular restaurant news era arguably starts when Grub Street debuts in 2006 and its editor, Josh Ozersky, aims to post news every hour.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
7 May 2025
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Brian by Jeremy Cooper Brian is a thirtysomething council worker in London who has always led a solitary life, one marked by an obsessive adherence to routine.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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To tell the story of a middle-aged man’s impulsive leap into restaurant ownership, he’s gathered an accomplished cast wielding effortless charm.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2025
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Could this change in spending from non-essential items to more essential ones mean a realignment away from impulsive internet purchases and toward more bare essentials?—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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