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
The state of Missouri will impose a 10% tax on sports betting, with the first $5 million allocated to a fund intended to help prevent compulsive gambling, according to ballot language.
—
Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
DeSalvo’s arrest was not the result of a direct link to the Boston Strangler murders — but rather a case of his own compulsive criminal behavior catching up with him.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
And, yes, this compulsive fabulist did in fact embezzle campaign funds from his own donors to fund a lavish lifestyle, did commit identity theft and did fraudulently collect pandemic unemployment benefits.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
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Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
DeSalvo’s arrest was not the result of a direct link to the Boston Strangler murders — but rather a case of his own compulsive criminal behavior catching up with him.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
And, yes, this compulsive fabulist did in fact embezzle campaign funds from his own donors to fund a lavish lifestyle, did commit identity theft and did fraudulently collect pandemic unemployment benefits.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
The last few pages of the book include discussion questions parents or teachers can use to expand on the complex themes presented in the book to young readers, and more information about obsessive compulsive disorder.
—Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsive. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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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