Definition Definition

compulsion - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'compulsion' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Compulsion [ n.]
- The act of compelling, or the state of being compelled; the act of driving or urging by force or by physical or moral constraint; subjection to force.

Meaning of 'compulsion' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . compulsion [ n]
Meaning (1):
- an urge to do or say something that might be better left undone or unsaid
Example in sentence:
  • he felt a compulsion to babble on about the accident
Meaning (2):
- an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will
Example in sentence:
  • her compulsion to wash her hands repeatedly
Meaning (3):
- using force to cause something to occur
Example in sentence:
  • they didn't have to use coercion;
  • though pressed into rugby under compulsion I began to enjoy the game