WordGarden.iocompulsive
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmpˈʌlsɪv/
US
- /kəmˈpəlsɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
driven by a hard-to-control urge to keep doing something
so absorbing that people feel unable to stop reading, watching, or doing it
Noun
a person who repeatedly does something because of a hard-to-control urge
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone who has to arrange books by color, even when they're running late. Or maybe a friend who checks the lock on their door ten times before bed. That's compulsive behavior – an irresistible urge to repeat actions, even if they seem illogical or disruptive.
"Compulsive" isn't just about strong habits; it suggests a lack of control. You might compulsively check your phone, not because you want to, but because you feel like you have to. It can apply to thoughts too – you can feel pushed to think the same worry over and over. While everyone has quirks, truly compulsive behaviors can be distressing and interfere with daily life.
The word "compulsive" describes a behavior or urge that is nearly irresistible and repeated despite negative consequences. It goes beyond simply liking something; it implies an inability to stop doing it, even when the person recognizes it's irrational or harmful. Think of someone with a compulsive need to wash their hands – they might know they've already washed (or that the risk is low), but still feel driven to scrub repeatedly.
"Compulsive" can describe actions (compulsive shopping, gambling, cleaning), thoughts (compulsive worrying, intrusive images), or even personality traits (a compulsive liar). It's often linked to anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a mental health condition characterized by unwanted obsessions and repetitive compulsions. However, you don't need to have OCD to describe someone as having a compulsive tendency – many people exhibit minor compulsive behaviors without it being clinically significant.
The root of the word comes from "compel," meaning to force or drive—and that's exactly what a compulsive urge feels like: an internal force pushing you to act, even against your better judgment. It's important to distinguish between a strong preference and a compulsion; one is a choice, the other feels unavoidable.
So, if something feels less like a habit and more like an inescapable drive, it might be described as compulsive – a behavior that dominates thoughts and actions despite its drawbacks.
Examples
- 1
Dishonesty
He's a compulsive liar, so people rarely trust what he says.
- 2
Shopping habit
What started as a hobby turned into compulsive online shopping.
- 3
Repeated checking
After the break-in, she became compulsive about checking the doors at night.
- Patterncompulsive about + -ing
unable to stop doing it repeatedly
- 4
Therapy context
The therapist asked when the hand-washing started to feel compulsive rather than helpful.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Strong need
She has a compulsive need to explain every small decision.
- 6
Work habits
Even on vacation, he was compulsive about answering work emails.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- compulsive behavior
- compulsive liar
- compulsive gambling
Word family
Explore
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- self-control
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- compulsivenounadjective
Forms
- compulsivespluralnounadjective