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

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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 Long before the serial killings, Puente publicly claimed to have adopted them — revealing her desperate need for attention and a compulsion to lie. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026 In fairness, the compulsion to go full-on Chicken Little is hard to resist. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026 But per the Black List, the story follows an antisocial man suffering from obsessive compulsions who is haunted by the death of his hoarder mother. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026 The comedian has built her career by wringing laughs out of a compulsion to share her own worst thoughts about her body, life, and career through the lens of a glamorous cabaret diva. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compulsion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsion
  1. pressure
  2. constraint
  3. coercion
  4. intimidation
  5. violence
Noun
  • In retrospect, many Democrats now think that the candidates in 2020 were too willing to bow to pressure with cameras rolling.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Courtney is in school to become a nurse practitioner, which added even more pressure to a home-and-work-life balance.
    — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of pressure
Noun
  • Some packs retain enough energy storage potential to serve stationary applications, where weight and packaging constraints matter less.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
  • ProteinMPNN selects each amino acid based on a series of constraints.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of constraint
Noun
  • Religious coercion has contributed to the rise of militant liberalism among Iranians.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Often, smugglers are only engaged in the industry out of financial necessity or coercion.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of coercion
Noun
  • The couple was charged last week with multiple counts of conspiracy to commit child abuse and witness intimidation.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Cases can be delayed with different tactics, including intimidation, corruption and procedural mistakes that can reduce charges or even lead to acquittals, said Carole Grace Mbarga, a Cameroonian rights activist.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidation
Noun
  • Some lawmakers worry broadcasting the execution could inspire more violence.
    — Erin Jones, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Blending psychological drama with raw folk horror steeped in the West Slavic mythology of Kashubia, Òpi explores violence, repression and the horrors inherited from one generation to the next.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of violence

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compulsion
compulsions
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Cite this Entry

“Compulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsion. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on compulsion

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compulsion

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