compulsion — an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
Pronunciation (IPA): /kəmˈpʌlʃən/
Example Sentences
- My roommate has a strange compulsion to organize his socks by color every morning.
- She felt a compulsion to correct every grammar mistake she heard.
- The testimony was given under compulsion and may not be reliable.
compulsion
NOUN[/kəmˈpʌlʃən/]
an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way
He felt a strong compulsion to check the lock again and again.
COM(completely) + PULS(push) — a compulsion is an inner urge that completely pushes you toward something you shouldn't do.
Facing immediate expulsion, the student swallowed his repulsion and scrubbed the toilet under the principal's strict compulsion.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin 'compellere' (to drive together), literally meaning to force or drive together. The word evolved to denote the act of forcing or coercing someone into a particular action, as though an irresistible force compels one toward specific behavior.
Breakdown
com- (together) + pellere (to drive, to push) = compellere (to force together); the suffix -ion transforms the verb into a noun denoting the act or state of being compelled.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My roommate has a strange compulsion to organize his socks by color every morning.”
“She felt a compulsion to correct every grammar mistake she heard.”
“The testimony was given under compulsion and may not be reliable.”
“His compulsion to check social media was affecting his productivity.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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