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
Unfortunately, allowing Trump to blather lies nonstop without fact-checking plays right into a compulsive liar’s hands.
—
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The drugs are thought to curb addictive and compulsive behaviors, such as alcohol overuse, impulse shopping, and gambling.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 June 2024
Libra September 23 – October 22 Your pursuit of pleasure runs the risk of turning compulsive.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 27 May 2024
But his compulsive need to look like a strong leader surrounded by weak generals and ministers encourages his counterproductive grandstanding.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsive 
Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
The drugs are thought to curb addictive and compulsive behaviors, such as alcohol overuse, impulse shopping, and gambling.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 June 2024
Libra September 23 – October 22 Your pursuit of pleasure runs the risk of turning compulsive.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 27 May 2024
But his compulsive need to look like a strong leader surrounded by weak generals and ministers encourages his counterproductive grandstanding.
—Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs, 1 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compulsive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compulsive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 7 Jul. 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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