compulsive

adjective
UK: /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/
US: /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

  1. Doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it.

    1. He is a compulsive liar.
    2. Compulsive eating is a serious problem for many people, and they need help.

  2. Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge.

    1. Her compulsive need to clean impressed everyone.
    2. The show features a compulsive gambler who loses everything he owns.

  3. Involving or resulting from a strong impulse that is difficult to control.

    1. He has a compulsive habit of checking the door locks.
    2. Compulsive behavior can significantly interfere with daily life and relationships.

Synonyms

obsessive driven addictive irresistible
compulsive adverb

  1. In a way that is caused by or shows a condition in which someone feels driven to do something repeatedly.

    1. She checked her watch compulsively.
    2. He was compulsively drawn back to the casino, despite his losses.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "compulsive" in English means: Doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it., Resulting from or relating to an irresistible urge., Involving or resulting from a strong impulse that is difficult to control..

The phonetic transcription of "compulsive" is /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ in British English and /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "compulsive": obsessive, driven, addictive, irresistible.

Example usage of "compulsive": "He is a compulsive liar.". More examples on the page.