COMPULSIONS Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

compulsions

noun

plural of compulsion

as in constraints

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

Relevance

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 compulsions The real question is whether Pennsylvania and cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia want skill games and other gambling opportunities to be widespread and unavoidable for people who struggle with compulsions to gamble. — Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 30 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 These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026 For me, one of these compulsions ended up being using the tracking app. — Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 22 May 2026 Letters admitting compulsions and guilt Judge Lopez must also weigh whether letters Cox wrote to a judge in 1993 and 1995 will be admissible. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026 Downgrading to a simpler phone, such as an old-school flip phone, could also help curb social media compulsions. — ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 Within a week, the compulsions disappeared. — J. Aaron Sanders, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026 James, not unlike his alcoholic father, is at the mercy of his compulsions. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compulsions

Noun

Both have built much of their appeal on opposition to the political establishment, the promise to wish away budget constraints, and deep hostility toward the European Union.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
The International Energy Agency has warned that constraints on the diesel market will likely keep prices elevated into the next year.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of constraints

Noun

The bank still calls Nvidia the sector’s best risk-reward opportunity but warns that financing pressures, power shortages, and concentrated customers could threaten the buildout.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
The proposals come as local governments face rising costs, budget pressures and cuts to federal safety net programs.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of pressures

Browse Nearby Words

compulsion

compulsions

compulsive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compulsions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compulsions. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of compulsions

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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'?

Popular in Wordplay

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

Popular

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

Games & Quizzes