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
Experts estimate that only about 2 to 5 percent of gamblers will develop compulsive behaviors.
—
Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
For others, drinking may become compulsive or difficult to control, defined as an alcohol use disorder.
—Logan Pant, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet this compulsive desire to win bleeds into every aspect of the team’s management, perhaps best evidenced by the fact that Giddey and Matas Buzelis remained on the court until the final 80 seconds Sunday despite both being fresh off ankle sprains.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Brent, by contrast, is a magnetic and enigmatic force — brilliant, elusive, and driven by an almost compulsive need to run toward danger.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
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Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
For others, drinking may become compulsive or difficult to control, defined as an alcohol use disorder.
—Logan Pant, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Yet this compulsive desire to win bleeds into every aspect of the team’s management, perhaps best evidenced by the fact that Giddey and Matas Buzelis remained on the court until the final 80 seconds Sunday despite both being fresh off ankle sprains.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Brent, by contrast, is a magnetic and enigmatic force — brilliant, elusive, and driven by an almost compulsive need to run toward danger.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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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