What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obsession
Example
He has an obsession with cleanliness and spends hours cleaning his house every day. [obsession: noun]
Example
She is obsessed with her appearance and spends a lot of money on beauty products. [obsessed: adjective]
compulsion
Example
He has a compulsion to check the locks on his doors multiple times before leaving the house. [compulsion: noun]
Example
She felt a compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly, even though they were already clean. [compulsion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obsession is more commonly used than compulsion in everyday language. Obsession is often used to describe a strong interest or desire for something, while compulsion is more commonly associated with mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obsession and compulsion?
Both obsession and compulsion can be used in formal and informal contexts, but compulsion is more commonly used in medical or psychological contexts.
