Synonyms of compulsive

compulsive

adjective

kəm-ˈpəl-siv 

as in obsessive

caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge

his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obsessive
• impulsive
• obsessional
• driven
• spontaneous
• automatic
• instinctive
• uncontrollable
• besetting
• irrepressible
• reflex
• mechanical
• unconscious
• unpredictable
• unthinking
• involuntary
• conditioned
• knee-jerk
• whimsical
• capricious
• unwitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• voluntary
• wilful
• willful
• manageable
• controllable
• unforced
• resistible

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of compulsive

This has driven the island to increase defense spending in recent years and extend compulsive military service to one year from four months. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

And with conditions like OCD, suppressing anxiety can lead to compulsive behaviors—such as repeating certain phrases or avoiding specific people or places—in an attempt to neutralize fear, which often backfires and worsens it. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 13 Mar. 2025

Pets, also like humans, can form compulsive behaviors. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025

Since dopamine is the currency of the reward system in one part of the brain, this may uncouple gratification from various drugs and/or activities, such as alcohol, stimulants and compulsive behaviors, for those predisposed to addictive patterns. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 2 Jan. 2025