compulsion

noun

com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
1
a
: an act of compelling
tried to get them to cooperate without using compulsion
: the state of being compelled
He was acting under compulsion.
b
: a force that compels
2
: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (such as excessive hand washing)
her compulsion to repeatedly check and recheck the stove to be certain that it is turned off
also : the act itself
Gambling is a compulsion with him.

Examples of compulsion in a Sentence

I gave in to one of my compulsions and ordered the chocolate dessert. We should be able to get them to cooperate without using compulsion.
Recent Examples on the Web Something else that has formed his design identity is his long obsession with archiving; this compulsion was born out of his fascination for Yohji Yamamoto’s work in the images styled by Ray Petri for The Face magazine. Luke Leitch, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2024 The compulsion to bear witness is what brought Ferrara to Ukraine just months after the Russian invasion in February 2022, arriving that summer with a small crew that included cameramen Emmanuel Gras and Sean Price Williams and long-time collaborator Phil Neilson. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Feb. 2024 As is often the case with such enterprises, the picture gets muddier with the compulsion to make everything more literal, to explain what might perhaps be better left ambiguous. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2024 Our complacency has been transformed into a compulsion—to act, scream and protect our future. WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023 But there’s no denying the human compulsion toward fresh discovery. Boris Kachka, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2024 Philanthropy motivated by power seemed even worse than giving like my mom’s, intertwined with compulsion. Emi Nietfeld, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2023 Hard-core flashers demonstrate an enthusiasm that borders on compulsion. Lauren Collins, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2023 Just as individuals can relinquish their righteous rage and compulsion to punish indiscriminately, so, too, can groups and nations. Jessica Stern, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English compulsion, compulsioun "coercion," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French compulsion, borrowed from Latin compulsiōn-, compulsiō, derivative, with the suffix of verbal action -tiōn-, -tiō, of compellere "to drive together, force to go, force (to a view, course of action)" (with -s- from past participle compulsus); (sense 2) translation of German Zwang — more at compel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of compulsion was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near compulsion

Cite this Entry

“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compulsion. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
1
: an act of compelling : the state of being compelled
2
: a force that compels
3
: an irresistible persistent urge
felt a compulsion to eat

Medical Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
: an irresistible persistent impulse to perform an act (as excessive hand washing)
also : the act itself compare obsession, phobia

Legal Definition

compulsion

noun
com·​pul·​sion kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
1
: an act of compelling (as by threat or intimidation)
specifically : coercion
a payment exacted by lawless compulsion E. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young
2
: the state of being compelled
specifically : duress

Note: Compulsion can make a contract voidable or be a ground for damages or restitution. Compulsion may also be a defense to a criminal act.

More from Merriam-Webster on compulsion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!