as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another
in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered
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Recent Examples of compulsion
This magical compulsion forces Ella to obey any command given to her, no matter how harmful or absurd, and Ella’s cruel stepmother Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley) and wicked stepsisters Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham) constantly take advantage.
—
Travis Bean, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Their reunion plays out in real time and is one of Leigh’s most unforgettable scenes, with Blethyn’s unbridled, volcanic emotions matched harmoniously by Jean-Baptiste’s conflicted but unshaken compulsion to stay.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Read More: Why Eating Disorders Are so Difficult to Treat
The Health Risks
The impact is not only limited to body image, as the compulsion to work out can lead to social isolation and other behaviors that may impact mental health.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024
States of flow can lead to productive work sessions or explain your compulsion to endlessly scroll through social media.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsion 
Travis Bean, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Their reunion plays out in real time and is one of Leigh’s most unforgettable scenes, with Blethyn’s unbridled, volcanic emotions matched harmoniously by Jean-Baptiste’s conflicted but unshaken compulsion to stay.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Read More: Why Eating Disorders Are so Difficult to Treat
The Health Risks
The impact is not only limited to body image, as the compulsion to work out can lead to social isolation and other behaviors that may impact mental health.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 3 Dec. 2024
States of flow can lead to productive work sessions or explain your compulsion to endlessly scroll through social media.
—Natalie Wu, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion
Noun
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Not everybody goes through this intense amount of pressure, and on such a scale and in such a spotlight.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
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Economists have warned that Trump’s plans for tariffs and tax cuts could create new inflationary pressures and keep interest rates elevated.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The launch date is dependent on spacecraft traffic to the ISS and in-orbit activity planning and constraints that have to be coordinated with NASA.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2025
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Officials on a call with reporters noted current strains on the AI market to make investments needed for large-scale operations saying their cost, power constraints and permitting challenges resulting in long lead times to bring data centers to market.—
Molly Nagle,
ABC News,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The ban was meant to address concerns about the data collection, influence and even coercion, and privacy issues.—
John Brandon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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There are no secret cameras, no orgies, no other celebrities involved, no underground tunnels, no minors, and not so much as a hint of coercion or violence.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, homeless people are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.—
Leah Goodridge,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
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In 2023, Target removed some of its Pride merchandise due to right-wing backlash and threats of violence toward employees.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near compulsion
Cite this Entry
“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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