as in obsessive
caused by or suggestive of an irresistible urge
his compulsive clowning around can sometimes be annoying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of compulsive
Like any activity that combines money, uncertainty and risk, prediction markets can lead to compulsive behaviors in a subset of users.
—
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lin Sternlicht is a therapist and cofounder of Family Addiction Specialist, a private practice specializing in helping clients overcome compulsive behaviors around sports betting and other online platforms.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
This goes against how therapists try combat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other compulsive behavior, which is predicated on fostering self-trust and accepting uncertainty, the reporting notes.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Viewers follow this meagre trail methodically, greedily, with heads down, driven by compulsive curiosity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lin Sternlicht is a therapist and cofounder of Family Addiction Specialist, a private practice specializing in helping clients overcome compulsive behaviors around sports betting and other online platforms.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
This goes against how therapists try combat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other compulsive behavior, which is predicated on fostering self-trust and accepting uncertainty, the reporting notes.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
Viewers follow this meagre trail methodically, greedily, with heads down, driven by compulsive curiosity.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for compulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsive
Adjective
-
Jess Scheer, the CEO of The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), says there’s a strong association between obsessive tracking and disordered eating and eating disorders.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Gadd adapted his one-man show about his experience with an obsessive fan for the Emmy-winning series set up at the streamer — which is now in litigation with Fiona Muir-Harvey, who claims to be the inspiration behind Jessica Gunning’s stalker character.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, today Uranus enters a part of your chart to stay for six years, encouraging impulsive vacations, surprising romance and unexpected children.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Flinging himself onto Berry Gordy (Larenz Tate) for a hug, the kid’s impulsive need for affection is a gut punch.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
