compulsion
compulsion Lexical Profile
compulsion Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An irresistible internal urge or impulse to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes or better judgment.
"He felt a sudden compulsion to check that the front door was locked for a third time."
The action or state of forcing or being forced to do something against one's will; constraint.
"The witnesses testified freely and without any form of external compulsion."
Word Nuance & Usage
In clinical psychology, 'compulsion' refers to a repetitive physical or mental behavior performed to relieve anxiety, whereas 'obsession' refers to the persistent, intrusive thoughts or urges that trigger it.
• Rhymes for compulsion
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French compulsion, from Late Latin compulsio ('a forcing together'), derived from the past participle stem of Latin compellere ('to drive together, force'), from com- ('together') and pellere ('to drive').