compulsion
noun
com·pul·sion
kəm-ˈpəl-shən 
1
a
: an act of compelling
tried to get them to cooperate without using compulsion
: the state of being compelled
He was acting under compulsion.
b
: a force that compels
2
: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (such as excessive hand washing)
her compulsion to repeatedly check and recheck the stove to be certain that it is turned off
also
: the act itself
Gambling is a compulsion with him.
Examples of compulsion in a Sentence
I gave in to one of my compulsions and ordered the chocolate dessert.
We should be able to get them to cooperate without using compulsion.
Recent Examples on the Web
The organization encourages people to seek a mental health professional when a person’s obsessions and compulsions begin to affect their quality of life.
—
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
But at what cost? The compulsion to be right often blinds us to alternative perspectives, limits our creative problem-solving, and stifles growth.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Gondry expands his eclectic filmography with this rejuvenating fantasia, revealing another facet of his creativity (and confessing a certain compulsion; when Maya declines to provide a title for a next short, his reaction is priceless).
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
Overcoming the compulsions, the siren’s call, the lowest-common-denominator, tabloid, casino effect of everything in a very competitive attention environment where we’re driven toward the lowest common denominator.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
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Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
But at what cost? The compulsion to be right often blinds us to alternative perspectives, limits our creative problem-solving, and stifles growth.
—Glenn Llopis, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Gondry expands his eclectic filmography with this rejuvenating fantasia, revealing another facet of his creativity (and confessing a certain compulsion; when Maya declines to provide a title for a next short, his reaction is priceless).
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
Overcoming the compulsions, the siren’s call, the lowest-common-denominator, tabloid, casino effect of everything in a very competitive attention environment where we’re driven toward the lowest common denominator.
—Sean Illing, Vox, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Cite this Entry
“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsion. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compulsion
noun
com·pul·sion
kəm-ˈpəl-shən
1
: an act of compelling : the state of being compelled
2
: a force that compels
3
: an irresistible persistent urge
felt a compulsion to eat
Medical Definition
compulsion
noun
com·pul·sion
kəm-ˈpəl-shən
Legal Definition
compulsion
noun
com·pul·sion
kəm-ˈpəl-shən
1
: an act of compelling (as by threat or intimidation)
2
: the state of being compelled
specifically
: duress
Note: Compulsion can make a contract voidable or be a ground for damages or restitution. Compulsion may also be a defense to a criminal act.
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