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
Examples of compulsive in a Sentence
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
Recent Examples on the Web
Quezada is diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.
—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Through compulsive filling and redrawing, Singapore had increased its land area by almost 25% since its independence in 1965.
—Zining Mok, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2024
His hits span four decades and various business models in the medium — broadcast, cable, streaming — all known for their compulsive watchability.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
From there, veterinarians can determine that your dog's tail-chasing is compulsive.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsive 
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Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Through compulsive filling and redrawing, Singapore had increased its land area by almost 25% since its independence in 1965.
—Zining Mok, Longreads, 22 Oct. 2024
His hits span four decades and various business models in the medium — broadcast, cable, streaming — all known for their compulsive watchability.
—E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024
From there, veterinarians can determine that your dog's tail-chasing is compulsive.
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsive
Dictionary Entries Near compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
plural compulsivities
Prozac, which increases the amount of serotonin sloshing around brain circuits, seems to reduce the compulsivity of autism.
—Karen Springen, Newsweek
Karen Springen, Newsweek
compulsive
2 of 2 noun
: one who is subject to a psychological compulsion
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