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1. Dictionary

   Com·pul·sive

   /kəmˈpəlsiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge, especially one that is against one's conscious wishes: "compulsive eating" Similar irresistibleuncontrollablecompellingdrivingoverwhelmingoverpoweringurgentbesettingobsessiveneuroticobsessiveobsessionaladdictiveuncontrollableout of controlungovernable
   • ▪ (of a person) acting as a result of an irresistible urge: "a compulsive liar" Similar inveteratechronicincorrigibleincurableirredeemablehardenedhopelesspersistentobsessiveobsessionaladdictedhabitualdependentinformal:pathologicalhookedOpposite occasional
   • 2. irresistibly interesting or exciting; compelling: "this play is compulsive viewing" Similar fascinatingcompellinggrippingrivetingengrossingtotally absorbingenthrallingcaptivatingspellbindingmesmerizingmesmericentrancinginformal:unputdownableOpposite dulltedious

   Word Origin late 16th century (in the sense ‘compulsory’): from medieval Latin compulsivus, from compuls- ‘driven, forced’, from the verb compellere (see compel). compulsive (sense 1) (originally a term in psychology) dates from the early 20th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. compulsiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 19

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2. People also ask

   What is compulsive?

   • Definition of compulsive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (of behaviour) that is difficult to stop or control (of people) not being able to control their behaviour that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting The programme made compulsive viewing.

   compulsive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/compulsive

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   What does compulsion mean?

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

   Compulsions - definition of compulsions by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com/compulsions

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   What is a compulsive habit?

   • Get a quick, free translation! COMPULSIVE definition: 1. A compulsive habit is something that you do a lot because you want to so much that you cannot…. Learn more.

   COMPULSIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/compulsive

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3. www.dictionary.com › browse › compulsiveCOMPULSIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › compulsive

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   adjective. compelling; compulsory. Psychology. pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: a compulsive desire to cry. governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › compulsivecompulsive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › compulsive

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   Definition of compulsive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › compulsiveCOMPULSIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › compulsive

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   someone who is unable to stop eating / lying, etc, despite knowing that they should stop. compulsive adjective (INTERESTING) so interesting or exciting that you cannot stop reading, playing, or watching it: This documentary about life in prison makes compulsive viewing. compulsively. adverb.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › compulsiveCOMPULSIVE definition in American English | Collins English ...

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › compulsive

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   May 13, 2024 · You use compulsive to describe people or their behavior when they cannot stop doing something wrong, harmful, or unnecessary. ...a compulsive liar. He was a compulsive gambler and often heavily in debt. Synonyms: obsessive, confirmed, chronic, persistent More Synonyms of compulsive. 2. adjective.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › compulsivecompulsive | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › compulsive

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   someone who is unable to stop eating / lying, etc, despite knowing that they should stop. compulsive adjective (INTERESTING) so interesting or exciting that you cannot stop reading, playing, or watching it: This documentary about life in prison makes compulsive viewing. compulsively. adverb.

8. www.merriam-webstercollegiate.com › compulsiveCompulsive | Definition of compulsive by Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webstercollegiate.com › compulsive

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   Define compulsive: caused by a desire that is too strong to resist : impossible to stop or control—usage, synonyms, more.

9. www.dictionary.com › browse › compulsivesCOMPULSIVE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › compulsives

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   pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: a compulsive desire to cry. governed by an obsessive need to conform, be scrupulous, etc., coupled with an inability to express positive emotions.