compulsion
3 synonyms for compulsion, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong, often irrational urge to do something, even against one's better judgment.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
irresistible impulse
How to use compulsion
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
under compulsion
sudden compulsion
Etymology
From Latin compulsio, from compellere, "to compel or coerce."
Full origin of compulsion →Frequently asked questions
What does “compulsion” mean?
The word “compulsion” means a strong, often irrational urge to do something, even against one's better judgment. In plain terms, an urge you feel driven to act on, or being forced into something.
How do you pronounce “compulsion”?
“Compulsion” is pronounced kuhm-PUHL-shuhn (/kəmˈpʌl.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “compulsion” in a sentence?
Here is “compulsion” used in a sentence: “He felt a sudden compulsion to check his phone every few minutes.”
What part of speech is “compulsion”?
“Compulsion” is a noun.
Where does the word “compulsion” come from?
The word “compulsion” comes from Latin. From Latin compulsio, from compellere, "to compel or coerce.".
Is “compulsion” a common word?
“Compulsion” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “compulsion” have?
“Compulsion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong, often irrational urge to do something, even against one's better judgment.
