compulsion

noun

com·pul·sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)

: an act of compelling

tried to get them to cooperate without using compulsion

: the state of being compelled

He was acting under compulsion.

: a force that compels

: 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.

Example Sentences

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 These small experiments and joint projects were a reprieve from the notion that art must convey big social messages; in Indonesia, Darmawan said, earlier generations of artists felt cursed by that compulsion.

New York Times, 9 June 2022 Carell stars as a therapist who's held captive by a serial killer played by Domhnall Gleeson, who wants help to be cured of his compulsion to murder.

Brendan Morrow, The Week, 5 Aug. 2022 But the defining quality of Alex Jones was a willingness — more than that, a compulsion — to lend credibility to conspiratorial nonsense.

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 July 2022 Their interactions with one another are ruled most of all by their compulsion to assess and compare.

Lynn Steger Strong, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022 The key is to use encouragement, consultation and support, rather than compulsion.

Robert Sher, Forbes, 21 June 2022 But even these glitches evince Price’s compulsion to risk all manner of painterly tropes.

Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 That meant a social support system which could have played a part in helping keep an exercise compulsion in check likely disappeared or dissipated.

Kate Willsky, SELF, 14 May 2022 The second season makes more use of Einbinder’s physical awkwardness and makes more sense of the repetition compulsion that forces Ava to stay with Deborah.

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2022 See More

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

单词	compulsion
释义	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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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 These small experiments and joint projects were a reprieve from the notion that art must convey big social messages; in Indonesia, Darmawan said, earlier generations of artists felt cursed by that compulsion. New York Times, 9 June 2022 Carell stars as a therapist who's held captive by a serial killer played by Domhnall Gleeson, who wants help to be cured of his compulsion to murder. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 5 Aug. 2022 But the defining quality of Alex Jones was a willingness — more than that, a compulsion — to lend credibility to conspiratorial nonsense. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 July 2022 Their interactions with one another are ruled most of all by their compulsion to assess and compare. Lynn Steger Strong, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022 The key is to use encouragement, consultation and support, rather than compulsion. Robert Sher, Forbes, 21 June 2022 But even these glitches evince Price’s compulsion to risk all manner of painterly tropes. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 That meant a social support system which could have played a part in helping keep an exercise compulsion in check likely disappeared or dissipated. Kate Willsky, SELF, 14 May 2022 The second season makes more use of Einbinder’s physical awkwardness and makes more sense of the repetition compulsion that forces Ava to stay with Deborah. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2022 See More 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 under compulsion under no compulsion Kids Definition compulsion noun com·pul·sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən 1 : a very strong urge to do something He felt a compulsion to say something. 2 : a force that makes someone do something She was acting under compulsion. 3 : an act or the state of forcing an action They got what they wanted through compulsion. 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. compulsion noun as in pressure the use of power to impose one's will on another in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance pressure constraint coercion intimidation violence duress fear force threat stress arm-twisting menace terror terrorism bullying sword strength might willfulness browbeating squeeze bulldozing muscle potency self-will puissance hardheadedness squeeze play strain Antonyms & Near Antonyms consent agreement approval permission reason persuasion suasion convincing See More
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compulsion

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing compulsion

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

Legal Definition

noun

noun