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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. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCOMPULSIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it: a compulsive liar / thief / eater. compulsive gambling. a compulsive eating disorder. C2. If a film, play, sports event, book, etc. is compulsive, it is so interesting or exciting that you do not want to stop watching or reading it: I always find programmes about hospitals compulsive viewing.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › compulsiveCompulsive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › compulsive

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   The meaning of COMPULSIVE is having power to compel. How to use compulsive in a sentence.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryCOMPULSIVE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   COMPULSIVE meaning: 1. doing something a lot and unable to stop doing it: 2. If a film, play, sports event, book, etc…. Learn more.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compulsiveCompulsive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › compulsive

   Compulsive people have irresistible urges to do certain things, like a compulsive gossip who simply cannot keep a secret. If you're compulsive, you can't stop yourself from doing something, like compulsive counting of the sidewalk blocks on your way to school.

6. 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. noun. Psychology. a person whose behavior is governed by a compulsion. compulsive. / kəmˈpʌlsɪv /

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCOMPULSIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   You use compulsive to describe people or their behaviour 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.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › compulsiveCompulsive - definition of compulsive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › compulsive

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   1. pertaining to, characterized by, or involving compulsion: compulsive eating. 2. characterized by perfectionism, rigidity, conscientiousness, and an obsessive concern with order and detail. 3. compelling; compulsory. n. 4. a compulsive person. [1595–1605] com•pul′sive•ly, adv. com•pul′sive•ness, com•pul•siv•i•ty (kəm pʌlˈsɪv ɪ ti, ˌkɒm pʌl-) n.