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ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Compulsive

/kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ · adjective

Meaning

Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible..

Definitions by Sense

  1. Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
  2. Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.
  3. One who exhibits compulsive behaviours.

Example Sentences

Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says.
Under this Act, the term "disability" shall not include—...(2) compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or[…]
Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane / But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop
Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives.

Synonyms for compulsive

Antonyms for compulsive

Related Words

Word Forms

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

What does compulsive mean?

Compulsive means Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible..

What is a synonym for compulsive?

Common synonyms include ambitious, determined, driven, neurotic.

What is the opposite of compulsive?

The opposite depends on the specific sense.

How do you use compulsive in a sentence?

Jenny is a compulsive liar—don't believe a thing she says.

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.