compulsion
- 01 C1 Advanced
a very strong, often irrational, desire to do something that you find difficult to control.
an irresistible, persistent impulse to perform an act, often contrary to one's conscious wishes or better judgment.
Simple“He felt a sudden compulsion to check his phone even though he knew there were no new messages.”
In context“The patient described an overwhelming compulsion to wash his hands repeatedly, a symptom that significantly interfered with his daily professional responsibilities.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'to' and an infinitive verb.
- 02 C1 Advanced
the act of forcing someone to do something using power or authority.
the action or state of being forced to do something; the application of pressure or authority to ensure compliance.
Simple“The government preferred to use persuasion rather than compulsion to get people to follow the new rules.”
In context“The treaty was signed under legal compulsion, as the smaller nation faced severe economic sanctions if they refused to agree to the terms.”
UsageCommonly appears in the phrase 'under compulsion'.
“I did that by getting on that plane.” Late capitalism’s compulsion to keep on going, “the myth of more, more, more”, is failing us all, she feels.”
Borrowed from Middle French compulsion, from Late Latin compulsiō, from Latin compellere (“to compel, coerce”); see compel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.