as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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Recent Examples of compulsive
Minnesota on Tuesday joined a wave of states suing TikTok, alleging the social media giant preys on young people with addictive algorithms that trap them into becoming compulsive consumers of its short videos.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Minnesota on Tuesday joined a wave of states suing TikTok, alleging the social media giant preys on young people with addictive algorithms that trap them into becoming compulsive consumers of its short videos.
—Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
This might be due to an obsession or compulsive behavior on someone’s part.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
There's swordsman Roronoa Zoro, thief and navigator Nami, sniper and compulsive liar Usopp, and a cook named Sanji.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025
Minnesota on Tuesday joined a wave of states suing TikTok, alleging the social media giant preys on young people with addictive algorithms that trap them into becoming compulsive consumers of its short videos.
—Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
This might be due to an obsession or compulsive behavior on someone’s part.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025
There's swordsman Roronoa Zoro, thief and navigator Nami, sniper and compulsive liar Usopp, and a cook named Sanji.
—ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
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Paxton’s interest in Paul’s plight was bizarre, obsessive and so far beyond normal operations at the attorney general’s office that the agency’s top officials struggled to convey their concerns during the hourslong meeting with two FBI agents.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Although Harold is not literary fiction’s first obsessive ruminator, what makes Muscle Man feel so plugged into the moment is how common the predicament feels.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bold steps need calculated moves, not impulsive reactions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Ari is a rich kid from New York, who is an impulsive motormouth desperate for Sam’s affection.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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