compulsive en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Borrowed from French compulsif, formed from Latin compulsus, past participle of compellere (“to compel”), from com- (“together”) + pellere (“to drive”).
Meanings
-
Uncontrolled or reactive and irresistible.
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[…]
1990, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990:Call it impulsive, call it compulsive, call it insane / But when I'm surrounded I just can't stop
1992, “Brian Wilson”, performed by Barenaked Ladies:
-
Having power to compel; exercising or applying compulsion.
Religion is […] inconsistent with all compulsive Motives.
a. 1729, Samuel Clarke, The Doctrines of Religion reasonable to be believed:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more compulsive | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most compulsive | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |
Deriveds
compulsive decluttering · anticompulsive · compulsivity · clothing compulsive · noncompulsive · compulsive hoarder · compulsive behaviour · compulsive hoarding · compulsiveness · uncompulsive · compulsively · compulsive streak · obsessive-compulsive
Relateds
compulsory · compel · compulsion
Translations (18)
fi pakottava (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · hu kényszeres (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · ro coercitiv (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · pl kompulsywny (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · fi pakonomainen (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · mn өөрийн эрхгүй (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · ro constrângător (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · bg принудителен (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · nl dwangmatig (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · bg задължителен (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · ru неконтроли́руемый (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · sv tvångsmässig (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · ru навязчивый (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · de zwanghaft (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · pl przymusowy (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · ca compulsiu (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · cs nutkavý (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious) · es compulsivo (uncontrolled or reactive and unconscious)