WordGarden.iocompulsion
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmpˈʌlʃən/
US
- /kəmˈpəlʃən/
Meanings
Noun
an irresistible urge to do something, often despite wanting to resist
force, pressure, or legal authority that makes someone do something
Beyond the definition
A compulsion isn't just wanting something badly—it's feeling driven to do something, even if you know it doesn't make sense. Think of a character in a mystery novel with a compulsion to collect antique keys; they can't help themselves, even if it puts them in danger!
Compulsions often show up when talking about mental health—obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves unwanted thoughts followed by repetitive behaviors performed to relieve distress. But you don't need a diagnosis to experience a compulsion. You might feel a compulsion to check your email every five minutes, or to organize things just so. It's that feeling of being unable to resist an urge.
Sometimes, it can also mean being forced to act by someone else or by a situation.
A compulsion is a strong, irresistible impulse to perform an act or repeat a behavior, often despite the fact that it seems illogical or excessive. It's more than just a habit; it feels like something you must do to avoid anxiety or distress.
The word comes from the Latin compellere, meaning "to drive" or "to force," which captures the feeling of being pushed by a force. While often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), compulsions can manifest in many ways. Someone might have a compulsion to wash their hands repeatedly, check locks multiple times, count things, or arrange objects in a specific order.
However, "compulsion" isn't limited to clinical contexts. We use it more broadly to describe powerful urges that are hard to control. You might say someone has a "compulsion for gossip," meaning they can't resist talking about others. Or an artist might work with "creative compulsion," driven by a need to create, even when exhausted. Furthermore, the word can describe external pressure; acting "under compulsion" means you are being forced or coerced by an outside authority or circumstance.
The key difference between a simple desire and a compulsion is the feeling of being unable to resist. It's not something you simply choose to do; it feels like a drive that is happening to you. Whether it's a clinical symptom, a strong personal urge, or an external necessity, a compulsion represents an overwhelming force that dominates thought and behavior.
Examples
- 1
Repeated action
She had a compulsion to check the stove twice before leaving the house.
- 2
Habit change
What started as a harmless habit slowly became a compulsion.
- 3
Automatic behavior
He kept apologizing, almost as if it were a compulsion.
- 4
Therapy
Therapy helped her understand the compulsions behind her daily routines.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Legal context
The court found that the confession had been made under compulsion.
- Phraseunder compulsion
because someone was forcing or threatening you
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- choice
- self-control
Used with (collocations)
- feel a compulsion
- compulsion to check
- under a compulsion
- compulsion to act
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- compulsionnoun
Forms
- compulsionspluralnoun