obsessive-compulsive

adjective

ob·​ses·​sive-com·​pul·​sive äb-ˈse-siv-kəm-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce obsessive-compulsive (audio)
əb-
Synonyms of obsessive-compulsivenext
: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder
an obsessive-compulsive personality
obsessive-compulsive behavior
obsessive-compulsive noun

Examples of obsessive-compulsive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Genetic predispositions to sensory overload, which is often experienced by people with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder, can put someone on this path early in life. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 During this period of my life, one that was entirely consumed by obsessive-compulsive disorder, virtually every e-mail that landed in my inbox had the same effect on me. — Andrew Lipstein, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026 The Air Jordan 11 Retro Low IE was the canvas for Avery Wilson, a 13-year-old patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026 No consistent associations stood out for obsessive-compulsive disorder, and associations between infections and ADHD could also be accounted for by other relationship factors. — Mike McRae 24, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obsessive-compulsive

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obsessive-compulsive was in 1927

Rhymes for obsessive-compulsive

See All Rhymes for obsessive-compulsive

Browse Nearby Words

obsessive
obsessive-compulsive
obsessive-compulsive disorder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Obsessive-compulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsessive-compulsive. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

obsessive-compulsive

1 of 2 adjective
: relating to or characterized by recurring obsessions and compulsions especially as symptoms of an obsessive-compulsive disorder

obsessive-compulsive

2 of 2 noun
: an individual affected with an obsessive-compulsive disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on obsessive-compulsive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for obsessive-compulsive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of jilt

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All