compulsion Definition
- 1an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes
- 2the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something; constraint
Using compulsion: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "compulsion" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He felt a compulsion to tell the truth.
Example
She had a compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly.
Example
The compulsion to check his phone was too strong to resist.
Example
He had no compulsion to attend the party.
compulsion Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for compulsion
- constraint
- pressure
- necessity
- coercion
- force
Antonyms for compulsion
- choice
- volition
- free will
Idioms Using compulsion
being forced to do something against one's will
Example
He signed the contract under compulsion, fearing the consequences of not doing so.
Example
She spent hours painting the mural as a labor of love, not compulsion.
a psychological condition where a person feels compelled to collect and keep things, often leading to clutter and disorganization
Example
Her compulsion to hoard made it difficult for her to throw anything away.
Phrases with compulsion
an irresistible urge to perform an action that is harmful or irrational
Example
His compulsive behavior led him to spend all his money on gambling.
a psychological condition where a person feels compelled to repeat a traumatic event or experience
Example
Her compulsion to repeat the accident made it difficult for her to move on.
a psychological condition where a person feels compelled to confess to a crime they did not commit
Example
His compulsion to confess led to his wrongful conviction.
Origins of compulsion
from Latin 'compulsio', meaning 'a driving, urging'
Summary: compulsion in Brief
The term 'compulsion' [kəmˈpʌlʃən] refers to an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, often against one's wishes. It can also denote the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something. Examples include 'He felt a compulsion to tell the truth.' and 'She had a compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly.' Phrases like 'compulsive behavior' and 'under compulsion' extend its usage.
