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View synonyms for compulsion

compulsion

[ kuhm-puhl-shuhn ]

noun

  1. the act of compelling; compel; constraint; coercion.
  2. the state or condition of being compelled.
  3. Psychology. a strong, usually irresistible impulse to perform an act, especially one that is irrational or contrary to one's will.


compulsion

/ kəmˈpʌlʃən /

noun

  1. the act of compelling or the state of being compelled
  2. something that compels
  3. psychiatry an inner drive that causes a person to perform actions, often of a trivial and repetitive nature, against his or her will See also obsession


compulsion

  1. In psychology , an internal force that leads persons to act against their will. A “compulsive” act cannot be controlled: “Smith was a compulsive gambler.”


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Other Words From

  • noncom·pulsion noun
  • precom·pulsion noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion1

1375–1425; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin compulsiōn- (stem of compulsiō ), equivalent to Latin compuls ( us ), past participle of compellere to compel ( com- com- + pul- variant stem + -sus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

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Word History and Origins

Origin of compulsion1

C15: from Old French, from Latin compellere to compel

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Example Sentences

It is natural and created without our willing it so and without compulsion.

And many fans may feel a compulsion to add their voice to the crowd shouting out for these rights to be protected.

Ultimately, his fascination with the drug gave way to compulsion and a struggle to break the habit.

Why should the compulsion to excel—which propels these privileged students to Oxford.

One step too far, and ambition turns into unrealistic expectations, compulsion into craziness.

We are apt to think of these little ones as doing right only when under compulsion: but this is far from the truth.

There is a restiveness in human nature that resists compulsion, even to its own manifest advantage.

There is no need, however, to extend the régime of compulsion over the whole field.

Mr. Highcamp was a plain, bald-headed man, who only talked under compulsion.

Does man stand in need of compulsion before he can be brought to humble himself with sincerity?

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Comptroller of the Currencycompulsive