compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən 

1

a

: an act of compelling

tried to get them to cooperate without using compulsion

: the state of being compelled

He was acting under compulsion.

b

: a force that compels

2

: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (such as excessive hand washing)

her compulsion to repeatedly check and recheck the stove to be certain that it is turned off

also : the act itself

Gambling is a compulsion with him.

Synonyms

• arm-twisting
• coercion
• constraint
• duress
• force
• pressure

Examples of compulsion in a Sentence

I gave in to one of my compulsions and ordered the chocolate dessert.

We should be able to get them to cooperate without using compulsion.

Recent Examples on the Web

In contrast, researchers suggest that obsessive passion occurs when an individual becomes driven to the point of compulsion, relying solely on their passion to fulfill their emotional and psychological needs. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Scrabble is Phillips’s obsession, a not-necessarily-healthy replacement for alcohol addiction, a compulsion that holds a hint of shame. —Longreads, 19 Dec. 2024

His mother was both more modern and more mannered, with a sense of social justice and a compulsion to lay out china for Christmas dinner. —Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024

These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compulsion, compulsioun "coercion," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French compulsion, borrowed from Latin compulsiōn-, compulsiō, derivative, with the suffix of verbal action -tiōn-, -tiō, of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus); (sense 2) translation of German Zwang — more at compel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing compulsion

• under compulsion
• under no compulsion

Kids Definition

compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: an act of compelling : the state of being compelled

2

: a force that compels

3

: an irresistible persistent urge

felt a compulsion to eat

Medical Definition

compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən 

: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing)

also : the act itself compare obsession, phobia

Legal Definition

compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: an act of compelling (as by threat or intimidation)

specifically : coercion

a payment exacted by lawless compulsion

—E. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young

2

: the state of being compelled

specifically : duress

Note: Compulsion can make a contract voidable or be a ground for damages or restitution. Compulsion may also be a defense to a criminal act.