compulsion

[ kuhm-puhl-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of compelling; compel; constraint; coercion.
2. the state or condition of being compelled.
3. Psychology. a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will.

compulsion

/ kəmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

1. the act of compelling or the state of being compelled
2. something that compels
3. psychiatry an inner drive that causes a person to perform actions, often of a trivial and repetitive nature, against his or her will See also obsession

compulsion

1. In psychology , an internal force that leads persons to act against their will. A “compulsive” act cannot be controlled: “Smith was a compulsive gambler.”

Other Words From

• noncom·pulsion noun
• precom·pulsion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin compulsiōn- (stem of compulsiō ), equivalent to Latin compuls ( us ), past participle of compellere to compel ( com- com- + pul- variant stem + -sus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion¹

C15: from Old French, from Latin compellere to compel

Example Sentences

“Addiction is like an ironclad compulsion,” said Dr. Michael McDaniel, the medical director of Heartland House in San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times

At this very early stage in the 2024 election, Trump’s personal compulsion as a political “strategy” appears to be encountering serious difficulties against Vice President Kamala Harris.

From Salon

"It can be hard to open up and talk to someone about your obsessions or compulsions, which may lead to the condition not being diagnosed and lead to feelings of isolation."

From BBC

“You see my outside, but you don’t see my inside, and it’s just awful in there. This compulsion with winning, it’s a sickness.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her dad moved out when she was in grade school, under similar circumstances to Mitch Winehouse, so she understood the compulsion of a young woman to stand in the spotlight trying to be special.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coercion
• obsession
• preoccupation
• urgency