compulsive

adjective

com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

1

: having power to compel

forced to resort to compulsive measures

2

: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession

compulsive actions

a compulsive gambler

compulsive eating

compulsively adverb

compulsiveness noun

compulsivity

kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsi-və-tē 

ˌkäm-

noun

Synonyms

• besetting
• driven
• impulsive
• obsessional
• obsessive

Examples of compulsive in a Sentence

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 2.5 million people per year struggle with compulsive gambling; there were nearly 15,000 bets per second placed online in the last Super Bowl. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024

He is diagnosed with anorexia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and goes to a treatment facility to get help. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 9 Oct. 2024

Abraham stood aside, unable to feel, and the music wound itself into a compulsive free-jazz-like cacophony. —Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

The industry profits largely from compulsive bettors, with a small percentage of gamblers accounting for the majority of bets placed; and these new betting options are left entirely unregulated, despite many consumers lacking the financial education to appreciate the odds. —Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin compulsīvus, from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" + -īvus -ive — more at compel

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing compulsive

• obsessive-compulsive
• obsessive-compulsive disorder

Kids Definition

compulsive

adjective

com·​pul·​sive kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

: caused by or subject to an irresistible urge

compulsive behavior

compulsively adverb

Medical Definition

compulsive

1 of 2 adjective

com·​pul·​sive -ˈpəl-siv 

: of, relating to, caused by, or suggestive of psychological compulsion or obsession

repetitive and compulsive behavior

compulsive hoarding

a compulsive gambler

compulsively adverb

compulsiveness noun

compulsivity

kəm-ˌpəl-ˈsiv-ət-ē, ˌkäm- 

noun

plural compulsivities

Prozac, which increases the amount of serotonin sloshing around brain circuits, seems to reduce the compulsivity of autism.

—Karen Springen, Newsweek

compulsive

2 of 2 noun

: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion