compulsion

noun

kəm-ˈpəl-shən How to pronounce compulsion (audio)
Definition of compulsionnext
as in pressure
the use of power to impose one's will on another in that class I read books under compulsion that I ordinarily wouldn't have considered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of compulsion The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 Generalized anxiety may manifest itself in depression, compulsion or restlessness. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 At a time like this, poetry must embrace a compulsion for awareness. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion
  1. pressure
  2. constraint
  3. coercion
  4. intimidation
  5. violence
Noun
  • Professional racers on prototypes (and now production models) of the 805 RX are proving the bike’s ability to withstand competitive pressure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Which coach has been left under the most pressure by their club’s business?
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Importantly, this outlook not only incorporates the chip supply Broadcom expects to receive, but also physical infrastructure constraints such as land, power, and data center shells.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The product should solve a constraint that customers can quantify.
    — John Gabriel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • Iceland, which has a robust coast guard but no army or defense ministry of its own, finds itself in an interesting position in a world of great power coercion.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Mark Carney drew international attention as Canada’s prime minister by warning that middle powers must resist economic coercion by more powerful countries.
    — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of coercion
Noun
  • Jacobs was initially arrested on five criminal charges, including a felony count of strangulation and suffocation as well as battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct and intimidation of a victim.
    — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Ann Arbor, where El-Sayed lives, is home to a branch of the Free Palestine movement that has engaged in violent intimidation of Jewish Democrats.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • Younger adults, between the ages of 18 to 29, were more likely than others to say violence was sometimes OK, especially those with heavy social media use, according to the study.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The council was issuing a proclamation about gun violence prevention.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of violence

Browse Nearby Words

comps
compulsion
compulsions
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Cite this Entry

“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on compulsion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compulsion

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