Word
compulsion
Phoneticscom·pul·sion, stress on the second syllable
US/kəmˈpəɫʃən/
UK/kəmpˈʌlʃən/
Definitions
01an irresistible urge
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a very strong, often irrational, desire to do something that you find difficult to control.
n. an irresistible, persistent impulse to perform an act, often contrary to one's conscious wishes or better judgment.
“He felt a sudden compulsion to check his phone even though he knew there were no new messages.”
“The patient described an overwhelming compulsion to wash his hands repeatedly, a symptom that significantly interfered with his daily professional responsibilities.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to' and an infinitive verb.
02the use of force
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. the act of forcing someone to do something using power or authority.
n. the action or state of being forced to do something; the application of pressure or authority to ensure compliance.
“The government preferred to use persuasion rather than compulsion to get people to follow the new rules.”
“The treaty was signed under legal compulsion, as the smaller nation faced severe economic sanctions if they refused to agree to the terms.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'under compulsion'.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“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.” “What looks like support can become dependency, and what promises engagement and learning is actually compulsion.” Etymology
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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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