as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
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Recent Examples of compulsive
As the chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, she’s seen firsthand the harmful effects that compulsive use of social media, online shopping and video games can have on a relationship.
—
Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
When a compulsive shopper makes eyes with a naïve salesgirl, the duo must kindle their spark in secret, especially once their bond begins to raise suspicions.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Serious medical complications can occur with its use, including cocaine use disorder – compulsive use of the addictive stimulant – and overdose, according to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse.
—Edward Szekeres, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
The type of content that gets created and recommended is not the best content, but the content that elicits the most compulsive and predictable response from the human brain.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
When a compulsive shopper makes eyes with a naïve salesgirl, the duo must kindle their spark in secret, especially once their bond begins to raise suspicions.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025
Serious medical complications can occur with its use, including cocaine use disorder – compulsive use of the addictive stimulant – and overdose, according to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse.
—Edward Szekeres, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
The type of content that gets created and recommended is not the best content, but the content that elicits the most compulsive and predictable response from the human brain.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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